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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting Post-OTA Starting Lineups

By Bryan Knowles

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) and defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrate during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. 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

The 49ers starting defensive line in OTAs has been Arik Armstead, Mike Purcell and Quinton Dial. There’s a chance that not one of the three is a starter come the regular season, though Armstead and Dial have great chances.

Ian Williams will start at nose tackle if he’s healthy; he’s been unable to practice this month as he recovers from offseason surgeries. At the moment, Purcell is filling in for him, but that’s only because Dial is playing end. If Williams can’t go to start the season, it’s much more likely that Dial will be called upon as the regular nose tackle, because his position will be replaced by first-round rookie DeForest Buckner. Buckner has been working with the third team in OTAs, a situation which should last about 30 seconds into training camp, unless he’s strangely worse than advertised.

At the other position, Armstead should be the starter here eventually as he continues to develop, but I’m not sure I’m quite ready to put him past Glenn Dorsey before Dorsey even gets back onto the field. Dorsey is recovering from an ACL injury of his own, so he can’t really defend his 2015 starting spot from Armstead quite yet. I would not be at all surprised if Armstead and Buckner are Week 1 starters at the ends, and I believe they will be the starters by the time the season ends. I’m just giving a little deference to a veteran whose played well, and not getting rid of his starting spot before he can compete for it.

Next: Linebackers