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San Francisco 49ers: Looking at locks and bubble-watch players after the NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers right cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) reacts in the game against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

Arik Armstead, Ronald Blair, DeForest Buckner, Tank Carradine, Quinton Dial, Chris Jones, D.J. Jones, Earl Mitchell, Pita Taumoepenu, Solomon Thomas

San Francisco used its first picks in the last two NFL Drafts to bulk up the offensive line, with Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

This year, the first overall addition was former Stanford standout Solomon Thomas.

With free-agent nose tackle Earl Mitchell pegged to start as well, the 49ers will have to do some adjusting along their defensive line to make room for everyone.

Part of the plan will be to set Armstead as the LEO, or right defensive end, in Robert Saleh’s 4-3 base. This is probably a good thing, since Armstead isn’t particularly great against the run.

Sixth-round draftee D.J. Jones is an enticing pick. His 6-foot-1, 319-pound frame is ideal for a nose tackle position in Saleh’s defense. He’ll be the primary backup to Mitchell, and one should expect him to be a regular part of the rotation.

All this may push out some of the older members of San Francisco’s defensive line — guys like Quinton Dial and the underachieving Tank Carradine.

D-lines tend to be deep in 4-3 schemes, so look for around seven players to be kept here.

Locks: Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Earl Mitchell, Solomon Thomas

Good Shape: Ronald Blair, Quinton Dial, D.J. Jones

Strong Bubble: Tank Carradine, Pita Taumoepenu

Weak Bubble: Chris Jones