Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Pros Who Could Lose Jobs to 2016 NFL Draft Prospects

By Peter Panacy

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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 /

Nose Tackle Ian Williams

Not long ago, one would have thought it asinine to assume a rookie prospect could push nose tackle Ian Williams out the door. After all, Williams finished 2015 as the 49ers’ top-graded defender, according to Pro Football Focus — a plus-24.4 overall mark.

Top that with his initial long-term contract extension, and Williams looked to be a long-term fixture along San Francisco’s defensive line.

Well, Williams’ ankle injury and subsequent failed physical forced the Niners to rework his contract to a one-year extension. And his status for the Week 1 opener remains in doubt.

His long-term fit does as well.

Keep in mind, 2015 was Williams’ first fully healthy season in which he appeared in all 16 regular-season games. He’s injury prone. And that’s not a good thing while the 49ers defense tries to offset head coach Chip Kelly’s uptempo offense.

We know defensive end Arik Armstead is here to stay for a long time. And defensive tackle Quinton Dial, who signed an extension as well, isn’t going anywhere either.

So what if the 49ers target even more players to reinforce the D-line?

Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner has been a favorite on many 49ers mocks, including some on Niner Noise, and it’s impossible to overlook the Oregon-Kelly connection. Oh, and Buckner is Armstead’s former teammate.

May 2, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) walks onto the field at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) walks onto the field at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

With the former Ducks book-ending the D-line, and Dial moving back into the middle, Williams could feasibly be left out.

How things can change oh so quickly.

Next: Colin Kaepernick