SANTA CLARA – Nickel back Upton Stout shone brightest among the 49ers’ 11-man draft class this season, even if he was the slightest at 5-foot-8 ½ inches.
Now comes his first taste of the playoffs, and he’s flashing back to what he learned from his “hard-nosed” upbringing as an undersized but attacking defender at North Shore High-Houston.
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Stout and defensive tackle Alfred Collins are the only members of the 49ers’ much-ballyhooed 11-man draft class who will play meaningful roles in Sunday’s wild-card game between the No. 6-seed 49ers and No. 3-seed Philadelphia Eagles.
Heck, that duo may even dictate the defense’s ability to shield off the reigning Super Bowl champs.
Stout must mute and perhaps antagonize wide receiver A.J. Brown. Asked what he’s expecting from Brown, Stout replied: “His best. And he’s going to get my best. … It’s going to be another week. It just means more.”
Collins must lead an improved defensive front that can thwart running back Saquon Barkley and dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts.
“I’ve got something to play for: everybody in this locker room,” Collins said. “I know they’ll get my best to help the team out.”
Some might go so far as to call Stout and Collins the 49ers’ best defenders this season, one marred by injuries to Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and first-round pick Mykel Williams.
Stout (third round) and Collins (second round) certainly have played the most among the 11 draft picks.
Stout, despite being the No. 3 back for multiple receiver sets, has played 55% of the snaps (593). He’s broken up five passes, made four tackles for loss, made a sack and even forced a goal-line fumble.
“He had his best game last week and I think he’s had a number of real good games,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “But, we’ve been excited since Stout’s gotten here and I thought he’s had a really good rookie year.”
Stout ranks 59th out of 114 cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus’ grading system, noting he’s missed 12 tackles and allowed a 100.4 passer rating when targeted.
Collins, hindered through the offseason by a calf injury in Texas’ bowl game, ranks 123rd of 134 defensive tackles by PFF. However, he’s flashed with as many memorable plays as any 49ers defender: forcing and recovering a fumble near the goal line against the Rams, sacking Philip Rivers in Indianapolis, and knocking down two passes, including one he scolded himself for not intercepting in Saturday’s 13-3 loss to Seattle.
“I’ve got to do more. It wasn’t enough,” Collins said. “I should have intercepted that ball. But there’s more ball to play. We’ll take our medicine, get back to work.”
Tight end George Kittle routinely has hailed Collins this season, and defensive lineman Keion White sees promise, stating: “He’s going to be one hell of a player for us. I really like his mentality. He just goes and gets it done for us. It’s not flashy but he gets it done. He’s big, explosive, powerful, fast, quick.”
As for the rest of the 49ers’ draft picks, the next-most snaps were by safety Marques Sigle (387; 36%) and Williams (385; 36%) but that was early-season work. Defensive tackle C.J. West (279; 26%) has worked into a rotational role, guard Connor Colby (452; 40%) filled in earlier in the season, but little has come from wide receiver Jordan Watkins (25, 2%), linebacker Nick Martin (15; 1.4%; injured reserve), running back Jordan James 0.3% (3; 0.3%), quarterback Kurtis Rourke (0) and return specialist Junior Bergen (0).
“The connection we have is the want to get better,” Stout said. “We’re all trying to get better and be a sponge to the vets around us.”
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