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San Francisco 49ers: Projecting 2017 Starting Lineup after First Wave of NFL Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-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

Nose Tackle: Earl Mitchell

Left Defensive End: Arik Armstead

Right Defensive Tackle: DeForest Buckner

Right Defensive End (LEO): Aaron Lynch

A year removed from giving up more rushing yards than anyone else in the NFL (2,654), the 49ers defensive line should be slightly better aligning to a 4-3 base front.

This formation will emulate what the Seattle Seahawks have done — a 4-3 under with elements/personnel of a 3-4.

Recently signed defensive tackle Earl Mitchell will line up at the nose, replacing an aging and injury-concerning Glenn Dorsey in the middle of the line. Second-year pro DeForest Buckner should wind up in the right defensive tackle spot, while third-year pro Arik Armstead holds down the left defensive end position.

Aug 29, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Earl Mitchell in the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Earl Mitchell in the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports /

Armstead could lose out to backup defensive tackle Quinton Dial, especially in run formations, but one should suspect the Niners have more stock invested in Armstead’s development.

The key question is at the right defensive end, or LEO, position. This is reserved for the team’s best pass-rusher, but the 49ers got only 1.5 sacks out of linebacker Aaron Lynch in a shortened campaign a year ago.

So it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Niners add a more prolific pass-rusher via the NFL Draft this offseason. There should be a few available.