San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan entered the 2018 offseason knowing the Niners needed to improve on defense, after allowing 383 points and over 5,600 yards in 2017, and ranking 26th in the league in Football Outsiders’ DVOA.
The 49ers first addressed this need in free agency, with the splash signing of cornerback Richard Sherman, as well as the addition of edge rusher Jeremiah Attaochu and linebacker Korey Toomer.
The Niners added additional defensive talent in the 2018 NFL Draft, using six of their nine picks on defenders, including two second-day selections.