Feb. 12, 2026, 7:29 a.m. PT

The San Francisco 49ers‘ defense was a mixed bag in 2025, as they had some great stretches and some where they looked like the worst unit in the NFL.

With the season in the rearview, we’re working our way through the position groups on that side of the ball, and handing out grades for players’ individual performances.

Today, let’s look at the defensive linemen and edge defenders.

Sam Okuayinonu: C+

Okuayinonu, in his second year with the 49ers, had the most snaps of any 49ers defensive lineman or edge defender. He appeared in 15 games, started 12 of the them and finished with 39 tackles, seven quarter back hits, three sacks and one forced fumble.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Bryce Huff: C+

After the 49ers traded for Huff before the start of the regular season, the 27-year-old was expected to play a big part in their pass-rush group. He went on to play in 15 games and record 30 tackles, 15 quarterback hits, four sacks (tied for the team high), two forced fumbles and a pass defensed.

Kalia Davis: C

Davis played in all 17 games in his third season with the 49ers, recording 28 tackles, three passes defensed, two quarterback hits and a half-sack. He flashed at times, but he was especially disappointing against the run, which is supposed to be his best ability.

Alfred Collins: C

San Francisco’s second-round pick appeared in 16 games and played roughly half of the team’s defensive snaps in his first season. He finished with 17 tackles, four quarterback hits, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered and one sack. His forced fumble against the Rams that sealed the win was one of the highlights of the year.

Jordan Elliott: C-

Elliott played 16 games in 2025, his second year with the team, and finished with 31 tackles, two quarterback hits and a pass defensed. The 28-year-old’s play was just mediocre throughout the season. There was nothing overly disappointing and nothing impressive.

Mykel Williams: C-

San Francisco’s first-round pick had his year cut short due to a torn ACL in the team’s Week-9 battle with the New York Giants. He ended his year with 20 tackles, three quarterback hits, a sack and a fumble recovery. He wasn’t jumping off the page before the injury, but that missed time made it that much worse.

Keion White: C-

White started the season with the New England Patriots, where he was originally drafted in 2023. However, the Patriots traded him to the 49ers at the deadline. White went on to play nine games with San Francisco, recording 12 tackles, six quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.

CJ West: D+

San Francisco’s fourth-round pick played about 25% of the team’s defensive snaps in his 14 games this season, finishing with 21 tackles and one sack. West flashed in training camp, but he didn’t show much of anything in his rookie year to warrant any hype going into 2026.

Clelin Ferrell: C

Ferrell rejoined the 49ers later in the season after spending time with the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers early in 2025. He wound up playing eight games for San Francisco, recording 24 tackles, five quarterback hits and a team-high four sacks.

Yetur Gross-Matos: D+

Gross-Matos was limited to just eight games in 2025 due to injuries. He finished with just eight tackles, two quarterback hits and one pass defensed. The 49ers needed him to step up this year, and he didn’t do much when he was healthy.

Nick Bosa: INC

Bosa was off to a great start to the year, recording 17 tackles, three quarterback hits, two sacks and two forced fumbles in just over two games. However, a torn ACL in Week 3 ended his year and really crushed the 49ers’ ability to get after the passer. This loss highlighted just how important Bosa is to San Francisco’s defense.

Kevin Givens: INC

San Francisco re-signed Givens to a one-year deal, but a preseason pectoral injury cost him the first six games of the year, and he was a healthy scratch for a chunk of contests as well. He finished with just two tackles in his five games played.

Robert Beal: INC

Beal bounced all over the place in 2025, going from the active roster, to the practice squad, to waivers and back multiple times. He ended up playing in seven games and recording 14 tackles, but he played just 104 defensive snaps. Most of his work came on special teams.

More 49ers: What should 49ers do with core special teamer hitting free agency?