49ers Free Agency Needs: Breaking Down the Defensive Line

The San Francisco 49ers have some promising pieces along their defensive line and have already been active here in NFL free agency. In the next part of our positional breakdown, let’s look whether or not free agency will be a continued route for D-line improvement and depth.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has already been more active in free agency than his predecessor, Trent Baalke, was a year ago. And NFL free agency hasn’t even started yet.

It starts on March 9 at 4 p.m. ET, in case you were wondering.

One of Lynch’s first roster moves was to bring in former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, who will likely hold down the vacant nose tackle position in 2017.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

In addition to Mitchell, the 49ers have budding defensive tackles Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner to throw into the mix. While Armstead’s 2016 shoulder injury stunted his maturation process — and shortened his season — Buckner emerged as one of the cornerstone pieces in what was otherwise a forgettable roster.

But will Lynch and Co. make some more moves to reinforce this unit, especially now that it’s transitioning over to a 4-3 under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh?

Here’s a look at San Francisco’s current crop of defensive linemen:

DeForest Buckner — 2017 Cap Hit: $4,134 million, signed through 2020
Quinton Dial — 2017 Cap Hit: $2.807 million, signed through 2019
Arik Armstead — 2017 Cap Hit: $2,684 million, signed through 2019
Tank Carradine — 2017 Cap Hit: $1.978 million, signed through 2017
Earl Mitchell — 2017 Cap Hit: $1.65 million, signed through 2020
Mike Purcell — 2017 Cap Hit: $615,000, signed through 2017
Ronald Blair — 2017 Cap Hit: $607,601, signed through 2019
Alex Balducci — 2017 Cap Hit: $540,000, signed through 2017

2017 free agents — Glenn Dorsey (UFA), Tony Jerod-Eddie (UFA)

Projecting 49ers Roster Moves

The new 4-3 alignment means some positional changes for a couple of players. EDGE Aaron Lynch is the current on-roster candidate to assume the LEO spot at the right end of the D-line. You can read more about the linebacker free-agency breakdown here.

Buckner likely assumes the right defensive tackle position next to the LEO, while Mitchell assumes the nose. Armstead, even though the fit isn’t exactly ideal, probably winds up being used as the right defensive end in this particular alignment.

Nov 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) dives for a first down while Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Earl Mitchell (90) makes a tackle attempt during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Quinton Dial, who has assumed both nose and end positions previously, is best suited as a defensive tackle and not at the nose itself. He’ll supply adequate backup and might even start if Armstead is used more exclusively in passing formations, which is very possible.

Second-year pro Ronald Blair will also wind up in this situational pass-rushing role, especially in sub packages.

The move to a 4-3 also could provide one final shot for an underwhelming Tank Carradine, who played in this sort of alignment at Florida State. In all likelihood, the Niners are closer to giving up on their former second-round investment from 2013 than hoping he develops into something useful.

Projecting Free-Agent Moves

San Francisco already has some key components along the D-line entering 2017, but depth is always an issue.

Especially considering Mitchell, who missed time with a leg injury last year, has his own injury concerns.

If the 49ers wanted to add more reinforcement along the line, targeting former Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Oct 26, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Ravens 26-18. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Williams is coming off a 2016 campaign in which he registered 34 tackles and a sack. His run-stopping prowess — San Francisco’s biggest weakness last year — is also solid. Pro Football Focus gave the 28 year old a 77.9 grade against the run a season ago.

Like Mitchell, Williams would probably cost in the range between $2 million and $4 million per season, but the Niners don’t exactly have to worry about fitting in a contract here.

Projected 2017 Depth Chart

We’ve locked down the nose position with Mitchell, and Buckner should be an every-down starter at right defensive tackle.

The left defensive end position likely is a tossup between either Armstead or Buckner, with the former a favorite to earn snaps in passing situations. For now, the LEO position still goes to Lynch, although it would be wise for San Francisco to add pass-rushing help via a deep NFL Draft class.

More from Niner Noise

For depth, the Niners will try to get more out of Blair this season. Carradine could easily have another solid preseason, like he did a year ago. But the real test comes in Week 1 and beyond.

Depth nose tackle Mike Purcell could still make the 53-man roster, but only if the 49ers don’t make any added moves here.

Next: 5 Blue-Chip Players the 49ers Should Target in Free Agency

Don’t expect Alex Balducci to make the roster, although stranger things have happened.