Early projections for San Francisco 49ers defense in 2023

The 49ers in 2023 should once again boast one of the NFL’s top defenses. But just how good are they going to be? ESPN’s Mike Clay offered a pre-draft statistical projection for a loaded 49ers defense.

Injuries factored into the projections limit players to something fewer than 17 games, but this is still a good ballpark of what we can expect to see from new and returning 49ers in a defense that finished first in yards and points allowed last season.

There are a handful of players who stick out, but the defensive line is where things are particularly interesting. Clay’s projections for the 49ers’ defensive front have three players eclipsing the 5.0 sack mark, and a couple others pushing the boundary.

If San Francisco’s defensive line comes together and they have upwards of five pass rushers chalking up 5.0-plus sacks, they’ll be in really good shape to replicate last year’s success on that side of the ball.

Let’s take a look at Clay’s early projections (with some rounding for clarity) for the 49ers defense in 2023. Stats in bold indicate a team-high:

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Projected stats: 869 snaps, 61 tackles, 13.0 sacks

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Projected stats: 706 snaps, 45 tackles, 3.9 sacks

Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Projected stats: 684 snaps, 57 tackles, 7.0 sacks

(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Projected stats: 597 snaps, 37 tackles, 6.0 sacks

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Projected stats: 543 snaps, 32 tackles, 4.0 sacks

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Projected stats: 1,032 snaps, 137 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 1 interception

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Projected stats: 923 snaps, 139 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 1 interception

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Projected stats: 977 snaps, 87 tackles, 2 interceptions

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Projected stats: 923 snaps, 82 tackles, 1 interception

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Projected stats: 543 snaps, 48 tackles, 1 interception

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Projected stats: 999 snaps, 65 tackles, 2 interceptions

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Projected stats: 1,032 snaps, 98 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 3 interceptions