The 49ers currently have a team tackling grade of 46.3 from Pro Football Focus, ranking 24th in the NFL. They need to address this problem if they hope to secure wins in their challenging three-game stretch before the bye week, especially after a 2-3 start to the season.
Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen addressed the issue with reporters on Wednesday. Although he didn't offer an immediate solution, he believes he has pinpointed the reason for the tackling struggles.
"I think we miss tackles sometimes because we're aggressive," Sorensen explained. "We do coach our guys to take their shots. If you make me a cut-up of those tackles, I'll tell you if it's a good or bad one, to be honest. We play aggressive, we play violent.
"I think sometimes [LB] Fred [Warner] shows up with quite a few missed tackles, but if a guy stops his feet and they're having to take time and that guy loses a yard, but you kind of fall off, and now we've got two other guys coming, then that's not a bad missed tackle."
Analytics actually show that Warner, known for his ferocity on the field, isn't having a tackling issue. Pro Football Focus credits him with only two missed tackles this season, none since Week 1.
Warner is having a career season, and some argue that he deserves to be in the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He holds a tackling grade of 78.0, a defensive grade of 94.1, and a coverage grade of 93.5—all career highs.
Interestingly, the 49ers player with the most missed tackles this season is defensive end Nick Bosa, with seven, followed closely by linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, who has six.
"Sometimes [missed tackles are] a little bit different," Sorensen continued. "I'd have to quantify it by looking at tape. Then I could probably talk you through if they're good or bad or not."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Among 49ers' offseason priorities: Fix the run defense
The San Francisco 49ers struggled against the run in 2024, allowing 124.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 18th in the NFL. The unit surrendered 24 rushing touchdowns. Only the Dallas Cowboys allowed more (25). Opponents averaged 4.4 yards per carry against them, tying for 12th... -
NFL.com mock draft: How one selection can strengthen the 49ers defense in multiple ways
NFL.com draft analyst Eric Edholm recently released his second mock draft of the year, suggesting that the San Francisco 49ers could address multiple defensive concerns with a single selection. After losing key contributors this offseason, including linebacker Dre Greenlaw and... -
49ers Named As Potential Trade Destination for All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson
As higher-profile contract talks continue between the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy, the team is still putting in plenty of time looking at ways to upgrade their defensive line, which (like the rest of the 49ers' defensive unit) struggled mightily in... -
49ers surpass Ravens for rushing records after NFL incorporates AAFC stats
The 2019 Baltimore Ravens rushed for an impressive 3,296 yards during the regular season, setting what was then the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season—until now. This week, the NFL announced it would begin incorporating statistics from the All-America...