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San Francisco 49ers: Full Prediction of 53-Man Roster in 2016

By Bryan Knowles

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly addresses the media in a press conference after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) in game action against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State won 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) in game action against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State won 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

Starters: DeForest Buckner, Ian Williams*, Arik Armstead
Reserves: Glenn Dorsey*, Ronald Blair, Quinton Dial, Tony Jerod-Eddie
On the Bubble: Mike Purcell, Kaleb Ramsey, Garrison Smith, Darren Lake

Both Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey should make the roster if they are healthy.  Williams, however, is coming off of multiple ankle surgeries, while Dorsey is recovering from a torn ACL.  Both could start the season on some sort of injured list, which would open up roster slots for Mike Purcell inside and possibly Kaleb Ramsey.  If both miss the opening day roster, then I’d have Purcell taking the nose slot that’s left open, and Tank Carradine’s experimental move to linebacker nixed in the short-term.

Oreogn’s ends DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead obviously aren’t going anywhere.  Buckner’s a lock to start, while Armstead and Dorsey will battle for the other starting slot.  The 49ers have to hope Armstead wins that battle sooner rather than later, so their last two first-round picks will be bookending the defensive line.

When it comes to reserves, Quinton Dial has been very solid.  He’s losing his starting job to Buckner, but the 49ers made a point of re-signing him to a three-year extension, and he can play any position on the line.  He’ll start if Williams can’t start the regular season, and he’s certainly not going anywhere.  Ronald Blair was a great value pick in the fifth round, and he’s not going anywhere as a rookie.

That leaves one slot open for a rotational end, and with Tank Carradine moving out to linebacker, I think Tony Jerod-Eddie retains his slot for one more year, though he’s the most vulnerable if someone lower on the roster impresses.

Next: Linebackers