San Francisco 49ers: 5 Veterans Who May Be on the Roster Bubble in 2016
By Jerod Brown
Glenn Dorsey-Defensive Lineman
Glenn Dorsey is coming off a season-ending injury. That’s the first strike against him. The 49ers extended defensive tackle Quinton Dial. That’s the second. The team then drafted Oregon defensive tackle DeForest Buckner with their first pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Sorry, Glenn. Three strikes and you’re out.
Head coach Chip Kelly carried six defensive linemen on his 53-man roster in Philadelphia. He could justify carrying seven in San Francisco but that’s likely the max. When it comes to the 49ers and Glenn Dorsey’s place in 2016, it’s simply a numbers game.
The 49ers will have some primary defensive line rotation of Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Quinton Dial and Ian Williams. That leaves three spots up for grabs.
The team drafted defensive lineman Ronald Blair out of Appalachian State in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Fifth-rounders aren’t always guaranteed roster spots. However, according to San Francisco Chronicle 49ers beat writer Eric Branch, general manager Trent Baalke loves Blair and considers him one of his favorite players in the entire draft. Hard to see him letting go of Blair before he ever gets a chance to suit up for the team.
That leaves two spots.
Dorsey will compete with versatile players like Mike Purcell, Tony Jerod-Eddie and Tank Carradine for the remaining roster spots. The 49ers, in search of ways to fit guys on the roster, may keep multi-position players like Jerod-Eddie around over Dorsey.
Dorsey’s injury, combined with the team’s draft strategy and versatile athletes on the depth chart, is enough to see the veteran teetering on the roster’s edge throughout the 2016 offseason.
Next: Failed Heir to Vernon Davis