The San Francisco 49ers had one of the least disruptive defenses in the NFL in 2025, ranking second-to-last out of 32 teams in defensive havoc rate with a score of 5.3, according to data from nflfastR and Pro Football Reference compiled by @JoshiosTweets.
Havoc rate is a weighted metric that accounts for interceptions, forced fumbles, sacks, pressures and tackles for loss per game. Only the New York Jets (4.8) finished below San Francisco.
The 49ers’ numbers were poor across the board. Their six interceptions tied for the second-fewest in the league (only the Jets had fewer with zero), their 20 sacks ranked last in the NFL and their 107 pressures were the fourth-lowest total. The only bright spot was 13 forced fumbles, which landed in the middle of the pack.
The 49ers’ 5.3 havoc rate was also well below the league average. The top team, Denver, posted a 10.2. Even the median cluster of teams — hovering around 7.2 to 7.9 — was well out of San Francisco’s range.
For a defense that was expected to be a strength in 2025, the sack total stands out as a significant concern. But this is what happens when a team’s two best pass rushers (Nick Bosa and Mykell Williams) are lost to ACL injuries. Fred Warner and Tatum Bethune were also injured throughout the year, which didn’t help the middle of the depth. However, depth is an issue the 49ers will need to make sure is addressed in 2026.
The 49ers added two key components to the defensive front, though: Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and third-round edge rusher Romello Height. San Francisco also added veteran cornerbacks Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs in free agency.
Is that enough? We’ll see. New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris might have his work cut out for him with this group.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers defense ranked near bottom of league in key stat
Reporting by Oliver G., Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Oliver G., Niners Wire | USA TODAY Network
