Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 49ers 2016 53-Man Roster After OTAs

By Jerod Brown

Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of golden NFL shield logo in the end zone to commemorate Super Bowl 50 during the preseason NFL game between San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; General view of golden NFL shield logo in the end zone to commemorate Super Bowl 50 during the preseason NFL game between San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Bram Kohlhausen (6) scores against Oregon Ducks defensive end DeForest Buckner (44) at the Valero Alamo Bowl in the Alamodome. TCU won 47-41 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Bram Kohlhausen (6) scores against Oregon Ducks defensive end DeForest Buckner (44) at the Valero Alamo Bowl in the Alamodome. TCU won 47-41 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

Arik Armstead– Buckner will get all the attention as the most-recent first-round draft choice but Armstead looks poised for a huge season in 2016. He’s absolutely massive and will be a starter from the moment a depth chart is produced.

DeForest Buckner– You don’t draft someone at seventh overall to send them to the practice squad. Ground-breaking analysis, I know.

Quinton Dial– You don’t extend a fifth-round draft pick to send them to the practice squad. In all seriousness, Dial is the most versatile defensive lineman on the team and could become a de-facto leader sooner rather than later.

Ian Williams– Just stay healthy. Please. When healthy, he’s one of the best nose tackles in the league. The 49ers gave him a one year “prove it” deal.

Ronald Blair– He’s short but relentless as a pass-rusher and could see a few snaps here and there.

Mike Purcell– Gotta have backups and Purcell could play any defensive line spot. Versatility equals a roster spot.

Tony Jerod-Eddie– The team gave Jerod-Eddie a quick shot at outside linebacker last year in a pinch. He wasn’t good but he wasn’t terrible. In the NFL, that’ll keep you around. With limited roster sizes, Jerod-Eddie’s willingness to play anywhere, including special teams, gives him the nod over an aging and injured Glenn Dorsey.

Starters: Armstead, Buckner, Dial and Williams will all see plenty of snaps and the rotation will depend on the situation. Armstead may be the only one that remains on the field consistently.

Next: Inside Linebackers