Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Projecting Each Prospect’s Role in 2016

By Jerod Brown

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Appalachian State defensive lineman Ronald Blair participates in workout drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Appalachian State defensive lineman Ronald Blair participates in workout drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Ronald Blair-Defensive Lineman

Fifth Round Selection-No. 142 Overall

The first of three fifth-round selections was an absolute steal for Trent Baalke. Ronald Blair isn’t going to be a starting defensive lineman for the 49ers but he’ll compete to be the first guy off the bench and backup essentially every position along the defensive line.

Tony Jerod-Eddie should be training immediately if he plans on holding off Blair. They both do essentially the same thing. They are versatile athletes that could play defensive tackle in a 3-4 scheme and could even make outside linebacker work in a pinch.

The 49ers simply don’t have enough space for all of the well-known players that crowd the defensive line. At least one of the the team’s defensive linemen will be floated out as a trade option later in training camp. The players have performed well enough that they’d warrant looks but the 49ers simply have younger players that they are ushering in.

Buckner will be the primary backup at defensive tackle if Williams is healthy to start the season. If not, Buckner gets the start and Blair will probably win the job as the backup. Mike Purcell may challenge there but the team will likely roll with Blair given his ability to effectively rush the passer.

Not a lot to say about Blair. He won’t start for this team but he could be a valuable piece in a defensive line rotation for the next five years. The 49ers made an easy decision to grab a guy that could’ve been drafted much higher.

Next: Offensive Tackles