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San Francisco 49ers: A few players critical to team’s success in 2018

By Kevin Saito

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: San Francisco 49ers fans celebrate a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: San Francisco 49ers fans celebrate a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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San Rancisco 49ers
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Defensive tackle Arik Armstead #69 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Arik Armstead

It’s more than fair to say that since being taken in the first round – seventeenth overall – of the 2015 Draft, Armstead has failed to live up to expectations.

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    • Although he didn’t have the best coaches over his first two seasons in the league – first Jim Tomsula, then Chip Kelly – injuries and an inability to stay on the field have hampered his development far more than anything.

    After a solid rookie campaign in which Armstead posted 19 total tackles (14 solo), and two sacks over his 16 games (one start), he has not been able to stay on the field.

    A shoulder injury limited his 2016 season to just eight games (four starts) and he posted 15 total tackles (nine solo), 2.5 sacks, and forced a fumble. A shoulder injury that required surgery to repair though, landed him in injured reserve in early November.

    2017 was even worse from a games played standpoint, as he appeared in just six games (all starts), Armstead recorded 16 total tackles (eight solo), had 1.5 sacks, and a pass deflection.

    Suffice it to say, the 49ers have not gotten much bang for their buck when it comes to Armstead. After San Francisco spent such a high draft pick on him – and then to get such limited production from him – Armstead is flirting with the dreaded “bust” label.

    He has potential though. He’s big, fast, and strong. If he can stay healthy and tap into that potential, he can turn things around. And the 49ers desperately need him to do just that.

    As a team, the 49ers have not been very good at rushing the passer these last few seasons. In 2017, the defense managed just 30 total sacks on the year.

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    That number needs to improve dramatically if San Francisco hopes to field a winning team this year. They need to create pressure, take some of the strain off the secondary, and help force turnovers. The defense needs to step up in a big way this season to help the offense out.

    Which means it’s time for Armstead to step up, find a way to stay healthy, and finally play like a first round draft pick.