Defensive line:

LDT: Isaac Sopoaga

NT: Aubrayo Franklin

RDT: Justin Smith

Reserves: Ray McDonald, Ricky Jean Francois, Demetric Evan.

The 49ers defense ranked 15th overall in the NFL last season.  The D ranked 21st in passing and sixth against the rush.  The defensive line was at fault for being ranked in the bottom of the NFL against the pass because they could generate a rush without a blitzing linebacker or a corner/safety.  This left the secondary exposed who also shared the blame for giving up big passing plays.  The defense made up for their weak pass defense by being studs against the rush.  And this was in part because of the defensive line.  Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin had a career year last season which lead to him wanting a new contract and sitting out almost all of the preseason.  Franklin was a big reason for the D’s success against the run recording career highs in tackles (88), tackles for a loss (8.5), sacks (2) and INTs (1).  Franklin is good enough to miss almost all of the preseason and still be effective in the regular season.

Age-less wonder and right D-lineman Justin Smith has proved at 30 years old he is not slowing down.  Smith is gifted with the ability to explode off the line and beat the offensive tackle to pressure the quarterback.  Smith was the best D-lineman in pass rushing on the roster last season as he tied for second on the team with six sacks.  He will need to increase his sack total this season if the 49ers are going to get better against the pass.  He earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season with a team-high 78 quarterback pressures and 52 quarterback hits.  Smith will put up similar numbers this season and should earn his second straight Pro Bowl appearance.  Smith has a streak of 139 consecutive starts.

Left defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga size and strength (he works out with 200-pound dumbbells) is perfect for the 49ers 3-4 defense base.  Sopoaga started all 16 games last year, a first in his career, and had 69 tackles.  He will rotate with backup Ray McDonald this season but will get the majority of the snaps.  Sopoaga needs to be quicker off the line this season to give Smith some help with the pass rush.

With McDonald rotating with Sopoaga don’t expect RDT Demetric Evan to do the same with Smith.  He will get his playing time but not as much as McDonald.  Keep an eye on Ricky Jean Francois this season.  With Franklin missing the preseason Francois took advantage of working with the first-team defense and expanded his knowledge and experience.  The 49ers will showcase Francois throughout the season as he may become the starter at nose tackle next year if Franklin signs elsewhere.  Francois is developing into a great nose tackle.

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