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San Francisco 49ers, Breaking Down Team’s Strengths, Liabilities in 2016

By Peter Panacy

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) prepares to snap the football during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) prepares to snap the football during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69) rushes Dallas Cowboys tackle John Wetzel (61) 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 defensive end Arik Armstead (69) rushes Dallas Cowboys tackle John Wetzel (61) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Strength: The Defensive Line

If a team wants to win games, victory will almost always be found in the trenches.

One has to commend 49ers general manager Trent Baalke’s efforts to reinforce the team’s defensive line this offseason.

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner stretches during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner stretches during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

This unit was good — if not great — in 2016. Then-rookie defensive end Arik Armstead flashed some promise. And he was joined by a strong effort by fellow defensive lineman Quinton Dial and run-stuffing nose tackle Ian Williams up front.

Williams posted a plus-24.4 overall grade on the season, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He’s dealing with an ankle issue now, but a fully healthy Williams means good things for the Niners defensive front.

Add first-round draftee DeForest Buckner to the mix, along with rookie pass-rusher Ronald Blair, and San Francisco’s D-line is deep.

If there are any question marks here, they’ll accompany the unit’s health. Williams’ ankle injury is a concern, and veteran defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (knee) likely won’t be ready for the start of the season.

And yet the 49ers D-line may still be the team’s best unit overall.

Next: Wide Receiver