San Francisco 49ers: 4 reasons the team will win the NFC West
2. The D-line racks up pressures
Regardless of Garoppolo, the 49ers have built one of the most dangerous defensive lines in football. San Francisco has invested in their defensive line more than any other position on the field.
It’s not really close.
After drafting Nick Bosa with the second overall pick this offseason, they have now drafted a defensive lineman in the first round four times since 2015.
They weren’t done though. The 49ers also sent out a future second-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for Pro-Bowl edge rusher Dee Ford. San Francisco quickly signed Ford to a five-year, $85.5 million contract.
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DeForest Buckner has already proven himself as one of the best interior rushers in football. Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas have both shown solid ability to play inside as well.
Bosa and Ford have the potential to make a lethal combination of rushers off the edge. The 49ers have three Pro-Bowl caliber players on their defensive line alone.
If that’s the case, their pass rush will be able to mask some of the holes in the team’s secondary. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh believes added pressures will lead to more turnovers and there’s no quicker avenue to winning the division then consistently winning the turnover battle.