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Niner Noise

Predicting 49ers 2016 Depth Chart Before Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys 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, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Right Outside Linebacker

Starter: Eli Harold

Backup: Ray-Ray Armstrong

The 49ers will be without linebacker Aaron Lynch for the first four games of 2016, which puts the Niners defense into a major pass-rushing bind.

So the next man up will have to be second-year pro Eli Harold.

Harold added 30 pounds of muscle during the offseason, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, in order to physically match up with opposing pass protectors as well as to replicate the same pass-rushing numbers Harold had while at Virginia.

Hopefully it helps. The 49ers are counting on it.

As noted previously, linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong is in the mix for a starting job at inside linebacker. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see him as a primary backup on the outside. He certainly offers more veteran experience and is probably a better pass-coverage option in said situations.

Next: Nose Tackle