Nick Bosa’s relentless pass rush and Renardo Green’s lockdown coverage fueled a dominant physical performance, though secondary lapses late in the game revealed areas for improvement.
The Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades for the defensive side of the ball have been processed following the San Francisco 49ers’ 35-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Levi's Stadium. Here is the complete breakdown of the highest and lowest-graded defensive performers, pass rush efficiency, coverage metrics, and tackling grades from San Francisco's Week 2 home opening win.
Highest-Graded 49ers: Defense
- Nick Bosa, DE: 84.5 (40 snaps)
- Dre Greenlaw, LB: 83.0 (41 snaps)
- Renardo Green, CB: 74.6 (59 snaps)
- Fred Warner, LB: 73.9 (49 snaps)
- Marques Sigle, FS: 72.8 (59 snaps)
Lowest-Graded 49ers: Defense
- CJ West, DT: 27.5 (26 snaps)
- James Thompson Jr., DT: 40.6 (21 snaps)
- Upton Stout, CB: 46.7 (34 snaps)
- Osa Odighizuwa, DT: 48.2 (41 snaps)
- Garret Wallow, LB: 49.1 (12 snaps)
Pass Rush & Pressures
Defensive end Nick Bosa set the tone for the front seven, finishing as the game's highest-graded overall defensive player (84.5 grade). Bosa disrupted Miami’s protection all afternoon, pacing the defense with five total pressures.
Cornerback Upton Stout earned a team-best 76.6 pass-rush grade and half a sack on just two blitzing attempts, while defensive end Keion White logged the highest pass rush grade among full-time pass rushers (74.6 grade on 21 pass-rush snaps) alongside a solo sack. Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo logged the group's lowest pass-rush mark (52.9 grade) after being held without a pressure.
- Pressures by 49ers Defenders (17 total):
Coverage Metrics
Cornerback Renardo Green anchored the secondary with a game-high 75.1 coverage grade across 59 snaps, locking down his side of the field without surrendering a single target. Linebackers Dre Greenlaw (73.4 coverage grade) and Fred Warner (72.8 coverage grade) were equally effective in pass defense, clogging the middle of the field and erasing Miami's tight ends and backs.
The toughest afternoon in coverage belonged to nickel cornerback Upton Stout, who received a 31.6 coverage grade. Stout was targeted seven times, allowing five receptions for 116 yards, including a late 77-yard fourth quarter touchdown, resulting in a 153.3 passer rating when targeted.
Run Defense & Tackling
- Run Defense: Nick Bosa topped the team with a 79.3 run-defense grade, consistently setting the edge against Miami's outer zone runs. Conversely, defensive tackle CJ West registered the lowest run-defense grade on the roster at 27.4.
- Tackling: Free safety Marques Sigle delivered a standout performance in the alley, earning the game's highest tackling grade (83.4) to go with seven tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack. Fred Warner posted the second-highest tackling mark at 79.9 (five tackles, half a sack). Cornerback Jack Jones recorded the lowest tackling grade (23.1).
- Missed Tackles (7 total):
