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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Players Who May Be on the Roster Bubble After NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) returns an interception for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) returns an interception for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Corey Lemonier (96) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Corey Lemonier (96) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker Corey Lemonier

One of the bigger disappointments of 49ers’ recent draft classes has been outside linebacker Corey Lemonier — to think, the Niners traded up in Round 3 of the 2013 NFL Draft to grab the former Auburn pass-rusher.

Since then, Lemonier has registered just one sack and 27 tackles over three years at the pro level.

Lemonier could have emerged as the next solid pass-rusher in a Niner uniform during former linebacker Aldon Smith’s off-the-field troubles and subsequent absences from the team. But that never materialized. And Lemonier has seen his role diminish ever since.

With second-year pro Eli Harold on the upswing, Lemonier’s best shot at making the roster will be as a fourth outside linebacker.

And even that hold is tenuous.

It’s possible players like Lemonier will benefit from a reinforced 49ers defensive line, which added DEs DeForest Buckner and Ronald Blair via the draft — players who may help collapse the pocket and open up pass-rushing lanes.

But this may be more of a benefit to fellow 2013 draftee Tank Carradine, whom the 49ers are placing into more of an edge-rushing role this season.

Speaking of Carradine…

Next: DE/LB Tank Carradine