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San Francisco 49ers: Full Depth Chart & Roster Predictions for 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the second 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 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 /

Defensive Line

Defensive Ends: Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Ronald Blair

Nose Tackle: Quinton Dial, Ian Williams, Mike Purcell

Players Cut: Demetrius Cherry, Darren Lake, Kaleb Ramsey, Garrison Smith

As stated earlier, we’re projecting veteran defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey to start the season on IR. So he’s not on the list.

However, nose tackle Ian Williams won’t likely land on the list, but he may not immediately be ready for the start of the season. Still, the 49ers don’t want to keep his 2015 production — and plus-24.4 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus — off the field for that long.

The team will employ a healthy rotation of defensive ends Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner (rookie), Quinton Dial, Tony Jerod-Eddie and Ronald Blair (rookie) this season.

And, even when Williams returns, the majority of first-tier players along the defensive line will get their fair share of snaps.

Look for Dial to be a key figure here. He can play both the nose and end positions. And Blair will be brought in in specific pass-rushing formations.

Fortunately for the 49ers, the D-line is one of the stronger units on the roster right now. It also boasts some depth and flexibility.

Next: Offensive Line