San Francisco 49ers: 5 Position Battles to Watch in Training Camp

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Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) and inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

This was the one unit who performed admirably in 2015. Defensive tackle Ian Williams bounced back superbly from his ankle injuries, ranking a terrific 18th out of 123 interior defenders with a plus-85.6 (from a zero to 100 scale) per Pro Football Focus.

Rookie Arik Armstead grew and grew throughout the season, and he ranked an incredible 28th with a plus-79.7 (from a zero to 100 scale). Glenn Dorsey, despite an injury-plagued season, ranked a respectable plus-63.3, and Quinton Dial had a nice year with a plus-73.3 (from the same zero to 100 scale).

When the 49ers defensive line was at its best, Justin Smith was eating up two offensive linemen allowing a linebacker a free passage to the QB. Though the line has not got back to the same level yet, Baalke and Kelly need and want a dominant defensive line again who win with power and toughness.

They addressed this in the draft with the additions of University of Oregon’s DeForest Buckner and Appalachian State University’s Ronald Blair. Buckner should provide instant impact to the line, as he brings a high quality skill-set, per Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus:

"He ended the season as the highest-graded interior defender in the nation — some distance clear of Sheldon Day in second — and his +73.0 is the highest figure we have seen across two years, as he beat Henry Anderson and Leonard Williams from last season out of sight."

Blair had a dominant 2015 season, though it wasn’t against great competition. He totaled 71 total tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one interception and a forced fumble. Blair does bring quality depth to the position and gives defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil the option to rotate players and use them in specific schemes which match their strengths.

If one of these guys can turn into a quasi-Justin Smith, this will free up the pass rushers such as Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks better looks at disrupting the opposing QB. This is badly needed, as in 2015 the 49ers defense could only muster a mere 28 sacks.

The clear goal is to win in the trenches again. With the depth now addressed on both sides of the ball, the future looks bright again.

Next: Quarterback