49ers vs. Cardinals: 5 Players to Watch for San Francisco in Week 10
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: DE Ronald Blair
Second-year pro Arik Armstead (shoulder) is out for the rest of the year, which means we should get an increased look at fellow defensive end Ronald Blair.
Blair, taken in Round 5 of this year’s NFL Draft, has only seen 16.2 percent of the 49ers’ defensive snaps this season. But with Armstead out, one should wonder if he’ll see a sizable increase this weekend and beyond.
San Francisco needs help with its pass rush. And Blair, who registered 12.5 sacks over two years at Appalachian State, is capable of lining up at the edge or along the defensive line.
Ideally, the 49ers would line Blair up opposite Cardinals right guard Earl Watford, who has a 43.2 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
The rookie carried a good deal of hype after being drafted. It’s time to see if that hype carries over onto the field.