49ers Coach Robert Saleh Praises Rookie Class 'Cool Group'

After a four-year sentence in New York as head coach of the Jets, Robert Saleh returns to San Francisco as the defensive coordinator of the 49ers.

Saleh had moderate success from 2017-2018 as the defensive coordinator before 2019 brought defensive dominance to San Francisco and helped the team to a Super Bowl LIV appearance.

Now he's back home and is intent on rebuilding the 49ers' defense into what it was before he left. A Super Bowl contender. And it starts with the new rookie class.

Saleh spoke about the rookie class during mandatory minicamp this week, and is impressed with what he's seen thusfar, alebit in a very short sample size.

"It's been good. I've always said half of what a rookie does in his first season is he's just playing. Doesn't know what the heck's going on. He is just using all his athleticism," Saleh noted. "But there's been a couple of guys, not to name names, who have stood out from an assignment standpoint. They're always going to make mistakes. You just don't want to see them make the same mistake twice. So from that regard, it's been impressive to watch some of those guys. 

"They've been, I'm thinking of one on top of my head, I'm just not going to name his name, he will make the adjustment before we ever get to them. So it's a pretty cool group."

In Saleh's last season as the coordinator in San Francisco, his defense ranked No. 2 in yards allowed and No. 8 in points allowed, and the unit took a hit when he left. The 49ers were No. 8 in yards allowed and ranked No. 27 in the league in points allowed.

Saleh hopes to help the 49ers recover from a disappointing 6-11 campaign last season that saw the team watch the postseason from home.