The San Francisco 49ers have turned to their rookie class for significant contributions as injuries challenge their roster this season. Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and Upton Stout have truly made his impact. On offense, they are anchoring the last line of defense in their team’s offensive lineup. Their rookies have been counted on heavily, as they’ve combined for a whopping 1,438 defensive snaps. This represents 15.4% of the team’s total, ranking them second in the league, only behind the Atlanta Falcons.
Among those on the field, few have made a bigger impact than Mykel Williams. As the only true defensive tackle on the roster, he’s notched one sack on the year. It’s true that he contributes to making the team’s run defense so much better. Williams has done a good job of creating pressure on clear passing downs, which is promising when projecting him to be an inside-pass rusher. His contributions were pivotal in the team’s Week 5 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, where he played a crucial role in a fourth-down stop against Rams running back Kyren Williams.
After winning the job as nickel cornerback, Upton Stout has made big plays to help the 49ers’ defense stand tall all season. He even had a pass breakup in one of the games, allowing him to stamp his place on the team. Alfred Collins, meanwhile, missed a game with a hip injury. He’ll be returning to the rotation in the very near future. In Week 5, Collins forced and recovered a fumble for a touchdown, showing his playmaking ability when he’s healthy.
The rookie class has collectively tallied impressive statistics this season: 124 tackles, two sacks, eight tackles for loss, a forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, four pass breakups, and 21 pressures. The 49ers’ rookie defensive linemen alone have logged a combined total of 740 snaps, marking the highest for any team’s group.
In Week 5, six rookies played at least 33 snaps against the Rams, highlighting their readiness to contribute in critical situations. This depth has already been key as injuries have forced other more experienced players on the roster to dramatically increase their role.
George Kittle acknowledged the eagerness and humility of the rookie class, saying, “Our rookie class here is very eager to learn and none of ’em really have an ego.” This attitude goes beyond the individual, though it speaks to the culture on the team and a dedication to growing talent.
Robert Saleh, former defensive coordinator of the 49ers, emphasized the importance of preparation and mindset for rookies transitioning into prominent roles. He pointed out that their responsibility is to be a pro and to be prepared no matter how much they play.
“Their job is to be a pro, regardless of whether they’re playing or not, and to continuously put themselves in position to be available and effective when their time comes up again.” – Robert Saleh
Saleh emphasized that for many rookies, physical tool is all they’ve had to rely on. He said the key to really thriving in the league will be his mental development.
“A lot of times they’re just playing off of pure physical ability. There’s a lot of things happening mentally that they’re still unaware of.” – Robert Saleh
Injuries continue to plague the 49ers this season. Their rookie class has already made an impact, which represents this organization’s commitment to developing talent and executing in high-pressure situations. Mykel Williams and Upton Stout are two young pitchers who are taking on more important roles. This provides San Francisco’s new hotshot talent with their youthful exuberance golden opportunity!
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