Niner Noise
FanSided

Final Projections for the 49ers’ 53-man Roster

By Nicholas McGee

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) poses for photographs with fans following the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) poses for photographs with fans following the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargersrunning back Gus Johnson (33) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ronald Blair (98) during the second half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargersrunning back Gus Johnson (33) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ronald Blair (98) during the second half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

Active Roster: Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Quinton Dial, Glenn Dorsey, Ronald Blair, Mike Purcell, Tony Jerod-Eddie

Cut: Demetrius Cherry, B.J. McBryde, Garrison Smith

As with the offensive line, the defensive line looks to have impressive depth, even with nose tackle Ian Williams out for the season.

Their doesn’t figure to be too many difficult decisions for the Niners to make on the D-Line, rookie DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Quinton Dial and Glenn Dorsey are all locks, though the latter trio come into the regular season all having been hindered by injuries.

The injury issues the Niners’ defensive linemen have had make Ronald Blair’s strong showings in preseason all the more timely. Blair has demonstrated the ability to play anywhere across the defensive front and generate push, quickly proving he belongs in the NFL.

Mike Purcell’s presence ensures the Niners will have someone to play the nose regardless of whether Dorsey and Dial have any more injury problems, while Tony Jerod-Eddie’s lack of snaps against the Chargers compared to Garrison Smith suggest he has done enough to make the team.

Next: Inside Linebackers