In his rookie season, defensive end Arik Armstead proved he belongs in the NFL.
He saw action in all 16 games, was in on 19 tackles and had two sacks. As the season progressed, Armstead received more playing time.
Gordon McGuinness of the analytic website Pro Football Focus wrote that Armstead had a solid first pro season that promises more.
“He flashed enough on 384 snaps as a rookie that everyone should be excited about what he could become, with 38 total pressures,” he wrote. He added that Armstead’s pass-rush productivity rating “was the highest of any 3-4 defensive end who played at least 155 pass-rushing snaps in 2015.”
Now in his second training camp, Armstead – who is expected to start – has taken his game to a higher level.
Niners safety Eric Reid said Armstead has been “killing it” in training camp.
“He’s focused,” Reid told the San Francisco Chronicle. “He’s making plays. When you see him, he’s doing what you think he should do based on the way he looks. The kid’s a monster.”
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After the 49ers workout Wednesday at Kezar Stadium, Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley, who often goes against Armstead in practice, told Taylor Price of the team’s website that Armstead already is a much better player this summer than he was in 2015.
“He’s amazing,” Staley said. “He’s having a really great camp. He’s the first guy that jumps out to me as far as a guy on our defense who is having a terrific camp this year. Just the speed, his tempo, the way he’s practicing, his urgency has been a lot better.
“He’s real physical and he’s getting after everybody. Now it’s the technical things, because he has all the physical tools.”
Armstead and the 49ers will see their first game action Sunday night when they take on the visiting Houston Texans at Levi’s Stadium in their exhibition opener.
