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NFL Roster Cuts: 5 Best Moves the 49ers Made in Creating 53-Man Roster

By Peter Panacy

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) walks up the tunnel after a 31-21 win over the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) walks up the tunnel after a 31-21 win over the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (54) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (54) prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Retaining Linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong

In all fairness, Ray-Ray Armstrong won out the competition to start at inside linebacker alongside NaVorro Bowman.

San Francisco ended up keeping all three of the players vying for this role. The other two being Michael Wilhoite and Gerald Hodges.

Hodges may be a better option against the run. And Wilhoite is the lone linebacker out of this group who can play both the WILL and MIKE. But Armstrong’s coverage abilities made him a standout during the preseason.

True, Armstrong had some bone-headed moments, including a penalty which resulted in a suspension after Week 3 of the preseason.

But fans also saw him converge well in coverage. That’s going to be the element San Francisco’s defense will need out of its linebacker crop this year. Just remember how often opponents targeted 49ers LBs in coverage last season.

Armstrong should help alleviate that.

Next: Retaining DE Ronald Blair