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NFL Free Agency: 5 Positions the San Francisco 49ers Must Address in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) looks at the score board late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) looks at the score board late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

Remember when former 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula remarked San Francisco’s defensive line was the deepest he had seen in years?

Well, that’s not necessarily the case anymore.

The team doesn’t have to worry so much about last year’s first-round pick Arik Armstead and fellow D-lineman Quinton Dial. Those two are fine, and Armstead looks like he’ll develop into a pocket-wrecking force sooner rather than later. Defensive tackles Mike Purcell and Tony Jerod-Eddie (RFA) also give the Niners some likable depth.

But veteran defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (knee) likely won’t be ready for the start of the regular season, and nose tackle Ian Williams is poised to hit the free-agent market.

Williams was the No. 1-ranked 49ers defender last season, per Pro Football Focus, with a plus-24.4 overall grade. And the Niners need to consider him the primary offseason re-sign target.

And they could use some pass-rushing help from this group as well. Defensive end Tank Carradine hasn’t panned out and will likely be featured solely as an edge rusher from this point forward.

Locking up Williams and adding some additional force to this unit will ensure San Francisco remains strong up front — a necessity given some of the defensive weaknesses from the 49ers last season.

Or, perhaps, the 49ers look to target New York Jets defensive end Muhammed Wilkerson.

Next: Wide Receiver