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2016 NFL Draft: Breaking Down San Francisco 49ers’ Biggest Needs

By Peter Panacy

Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers manager Trent Baalke poses for a photo in the locker room after a press conference for the introduction of Jim Tomsula (not pictured) as the head coach at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers manager Trent Baalke poses for a photo in the locker room after a press conference for the introduction of Jim Tomsula (not pictured) as the head coach at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Quinton Dial (92) celebrates during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Quinton Dial (92) celebrates during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

Nose tackle Ian Williams is hitting free agency this offseason, and the 49ers should try to make any and all efforts to re-sign him. Additionally, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (knee) may not be ready to go for Week 1 of 2016.

Defensive end Tank Carradine doesn’t look like he’ll ever be an every-down player, and is likely best suited for a strict pass-rushing role, which leaves defensive linemen Quinton Dial and Arik Armstead as the only bona fide starters for next season.

Armstead is a pocket-wrecking force in the making. And Dial has turned into a nice find after being drafted in Round 5 of the 2013 draft.

But the 49ers could use some additional muscle and reinforcement here. Should Williams depart the team via free agency, the Niners wouldn’t want to suffer any sort of lapses up front. A perfect fit would be a D-lineman capable of being both a pass-rusher and a run-stuffer at the point of attack.

There aren’t always a lot of those in the draft.

Still, the 49ers will look to get strong and deep along their defensive front. So targeting a D-lineman in the early-to-mid rounds of the draft should be on the team’s priority list.

Next: Linebacker