49ers Week 1 Defensive Starters (vs. Seahawks)
San Francisco’s defensive starters from the 2025 season opener in Seattle.
Front Seven
- DE: Nick Bosa
- DT: Jordan Elliott
- DT: Kalia Davis
- LB (MIKE): Fred Warner
- LB (WILL): Dee Winters
- LB (SAM): Luke Gifford
Secondary
- CB: Deommodore Lenoir
- CB: Renardo Green
- Nickel CB: Upton Stout
- FS: Jason Pinnock
- SS: Marques Sigle
🛡️ 49ers Defensive Snap Counts – Week 1 vs SEA
| Player | Position | Defensive Snaps |
|---|---|---|
| Dee Winters | LB | 52 |
| Jason Pinnock | FS | 52 |
| Marques Sigle | SS | 52 |
| Deommodore Lenoir | CB | 51 |
| Renardo Green | CB | 51 |
| Fred Warner | LB | 49 |
| Nick Bosa | DE | 46 |
| Mykel Williams | DE | 39 |
| Upton Stout | CB | 29 |
| Bryce Huff | DE | 26 |
| Jordan Elliott | DT | 25 |
| Kalia Davis | DT | 24 |
| Luke Gifford | LB | 23 |
Snap counts reflect defensive plays only and illustrate how heavily the 49ers leaned on their linebacker and safety groups.
📊 Defensive Stats – Week 1 49ers (vs. Seahawks)
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Bosa | 6 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | Game-sealing strip-sack late in 4th quarter |
| Fred Warner | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Team-leading tackles, anchored run defense |
| Marques Sigle | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Recovered Bosa’s forced fumble |
| Dee Winters | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | Multiple tackles for loss and key run stops |
| Sam Okuayinonu | — | 0 | 1 | 0 | Forced fumble in limited snaps |
Team Totals: 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 13 points allowed.
🧠 Context
- The 49ers defense held Seattle to 13 points and consistently forced long down-and-distance situations.
- Nick Bosa delivered the game’s defining moment with a late strip-sack to seal the win.
- Dee Winters emerged as a key early-down and coverage linebacker, leading the team in stops.
- Rookie safety Marques Sigle played every defensive snap and was trusted in high-leverage moments.
- The linebacker-heavy snap distribution reflected San Francisco’s focus on controlling the middle of the field.
49ers Defense: Situational Graded Analytics (Week 1 vs Seahawks)
Breakdown by down, situation, and run vs coverage performance from the 49ers’ Week 1 defensive effort in Seattle.
🟢 First Down Defense (Early-Down Control)
| Player | Run Defense | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Warner | Elite | Very Good | Controlled run fits; limited yards after contact |
| Dee Winters | Elite | Elite | Team-high early-down stops; outstanding zone coverage |
| Nick Bosa | Very Good | — | Edge discipline limited outside zone runs |
| Jason Pinnock | Good | Average | Strong alley support; few coverage targets |
| Marques Sigle | Average | Average | Solid rookie discipline; no explosives allowed |
Team Result: Seattle consistently faced long second downs, keeping the 49ers in control of tempo.
🟡 Second Down Defense (Adjustment & Play-Action)
| Player | Run Defense | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Warner | Good | Good | Excellent play-action recognition |
| Dee Winters | Very Good | Elite | Top coverage efficiency among linebackers |
| Nick Bosa | Average | — | Seattle slid protection away from him |
| Upton Stout | — | Poor | Targeted in coverage; toughest matchup of the day |
| Renardo Green | — | Good | Sound leverage; no chunk plays allowed |
Team Result: Seahawks struggled to create manageable third downs, limiting offensive rhythm.
🔴 Third Down Defense (Money Downs)
| Player | Pass Rush | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Bosa | Elite | — | Game-sealing strip-sack; dominant pressure rate |
| Sam Okuayinonu | Elite | — | High efficiency in limited snaps |
| Dee Winters | — | Very Good | Reliable underneath zone defender |
| Fred Warner | — | Average | One missed tackle; otherwise steady |
| Marques Sigle | — | Poor | Allowed separation on third-down routes |
Team Result: Coverage held long enough for the pass rush to finish, highlighted by Bosa’s late sack.
🏃 Run Defense vs 🎯 Coverage (All Downs)
Run Defense
- Defensive Line: Good – edge discipline strong, interior rotation uneven
- Linebackers: Elite – Warner and Winters controlled gaps
- Secondary: Average – safeties solid in support
Coverage
- Linebackers: Elite – Winters excelled in zone
- Safeties: Average – rookie growing pains but no busts
- Corners: Below Average – Stout targeted; Green steadier
📌 Key Takeaways
- Dee Winters was the most complete defender by situation
- Nick Bosa dominated third downs and closed the game
- Early-down success forced Seattle to play behind the chains
- Rookie defensive backs showed growth despite situational struggles
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