Youth has most definitely been served in San Francisco this season, with 22-year-old Aldon Smith, the youngest player on the 49ers, headlining a strong rookie crop that provided a major impact in head coach Jim Harbaugh's NFL maiden voyage.
The first-round draft pick out of the University of Missouri was selected as this year's PFW/PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year after wasting no time becoming a premier pass-rushing force at the pro level.
Smith's team-high 14 sacks set a franchise record for most sacks in a rookie season and fell just half a sack short of the league record for sacks by a rookie, set by Jevon Kearse with the Titans in 1999.
"He is a unique talent in the sense that he's got a defensive end's size (6-4, 258 pounds) and the mobility, agility and speed of a linebacker," 49ers GM Trent Baalke said of Smith, who led all rookies in sacks and tied for fifth among all players.
"He's a pressure player. He had proven to us that he had a knack for getting to the quarterback, and that was something we had been missing. It's hard to pass up guys like that. It was a bit of a projection, but we were impressed with his passion and work ethic, and what people had told us about him - about his ability to play at such a high level coming off an injury in his junior year."
Smith had his share of dominant performances, the most notable being his 2½-sack masterpiece on a national stage against the Steelers the night he set the franchise record for most sacks by a rookie. He totaled seven QB hits and two tackles for loss in the Niners' 20-3 home victory.
"We knew he was young and needed to mature. But we were confident in our coaching staff's ability to bring him along," Baalke said.
Smith's teammates also have gone out of their way to help him develop, particularly fellow Mizzou grad Justin Smith, the team's second-leading sacker this season with 7½ .
"Aldon's had a tremendous rookie season," star ILB Patrick Willis said early in the week leading up to the Niners' divisional playoff game vs. the Saints. "He is getting great pass rush, and it helps when you're in coverage, and that's across the board. (DT) Justin Smith, (OLB) Parys (Haralson), (OLB) Ahmad (Brooks), (DT) Ray (McDonald) — all those guys have worked with him all season.
"They continue to do that, and he listens well."
ALL-TIME WINNERS
Defensive Rookie of the Year
2011 OLB Aldon Smith / S.F.
2010 DT Ndamukong Suh / Det.
2009 LB Brian Cushing / Hou.
2008 LB Jerod Mayo / N.E.
2007 LB Patrick Willis / S.F.
2006 LB Demeco Ryans / Hou.
2005 LB Shawne Merriman / S.D.
2004 CB Dunta Robinson / Hou.
2003 LB Terrell Suggs / Balt.
2002 DE Julius Peppers / Car.
2001 LB Kendrell Bell / Pitt.
2000 LB Brian Urlacher / Chi.
1999 DE Jevon Kearse / Ten.
1998 CB Charles Woodson / Oak.
1997 LB Peter Boulware / Balt.
1996 DE Simeon Rice / Ariz.
1995 DE Hugh Douglas / N.Y.J.
1994 DT Tim Bowens / Mia.
1993 DT Dana Stubblefield / S.F.
1992 CB-PR Dale Carter / K.C.
1991 LB Mike Croel / Den.
1990 FS Mark Carrier / Chi.
1989 LB Derrick Thomas / K.C.
1988 FS Erik Mcmillan / N.Y.J.
1987 LB Shane Conlan / Buff.
1986 LB John Offerdahl / Mia.
DE Leslie O'Neal / S.D.
1985 No Award
1984 S Tom Flynn / G.B.
1983 LB Vernon Maxwell / Balt.
1982 LB Chip Banks / Clev.
1981 LB Lawrence Taylor / N.Y.G.
1980 LB Buddy Curry / Atl.
1979 DE Jesse Baker / Hou.
1978 DE Al Baker / Det.
1977 DE A.J. Duhe / Mia.
1976 CB Mike Haynes / N.E.
1975 LB Robert Brazile / Hou.
1974 LB Jack Lambert / Pitt.
1973 DT Wally Chambers / Chi.
1972 DE Sherman White / Cin.
1971 LB Isiah Robertson / L.A. Rams
1970 CB Bruce Taylor / S.F.
1969 DT Joe Greene / Pitt. (NFL)
CB James Marsalis / K.C. (AFL)