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San Francisco 49ers: Who Is on Each Position’s Roster Bubble in 2016?

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the St. Louis Rams in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell (64) scores a touchdown after intercepting the football against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell (64) scores a touchdown after intercepting the football against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

Defensive Tackles: Arik Armstead, Ronald Blair, DeForest Buckner, Tank Carradine, Demetrius Cherry, Quinton Dial, Glenn Dorsey, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Darren Lake, Kaleb Ramsey

Nose Tackles: Mike Purcell, Garrison Smith, Ian Williams

Defensive linemen Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Quinton Dial and Ian Williams can all be crossed off any sort of watch list.

Likely, the 49ers aren’t going to have any problems keeping tackles Mike Purcell and rookie Ronald Blair either. And we’ve talked about Tank Carradine, who is still listed as a defensive lineman on the 49ers website, and what his role might be this upcoming season.

Should Carradine struggle with his transition during training camp and the preseason, he might make it to bubble-watch status. As for now, he’s pretty strong in this category.

Injuries do raise some questions with other players though.

Williams (ankle) may not be ready for Week 1. And defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (knee) probably will end up starting 2016 on the reserve/designated for return list. As such, don’t expect Dorsey to be cut. San Francisco will keep him, since players on reserve lists don’t count against the 53-man roster.

Nose tackle Mike Purcell has been an amicable backup, and the same could be said of Tony Jerod-Eddie. But which one of these players do the Niners keep, especially after the additions of rookies like Buckner and Blair?

Strong Bubble: Tank Carradine, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Mike Purcell

Weak Bubble: Demetrius Cherry, Darren Lake, Kaleb Ramsey, Garrison Smith

Next: Offensive Line