Predicting the San Francisco 49ers Starting Lineup in 2017

Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

Young defensive ends DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead aren’t going anywhere, so they should assume to be starters along the defensive line, if the 49ers maintain a 3-4 defense or switch to a 4-3.

Armstead (shoulder) is out for the season, and the injury likely hampered his less-than-stellar efforts against the run.

Assuming a fully healthy Armstead returns to poise in 2017, he’ll bookend the D-line opposite Buckner. The only question is who occupies the middle.

Veteran defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey has adequately filled this void, taking over for a largely ineffective Mike Purcell. Although the team sure wishes former-49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (ankle) was healthy enough.

Williams could come back, and Dorsey is a free agent next year.

Let’s go with a bolder prediction of the Niners re-signing a (hopefully) healthy Williams to help stop the run.

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Quinton Dial is about as good a reserve option as the team could have.

Defensive Ends: Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner

Defensive Tackle: Ian Williams (Quinton Dial if a 4-3 is introduced)