Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Early look at 10 players on the 2018 roster bubble

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pushed out of bounds by Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pushed out of bounds by Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Defensive tackle Arik Armstead #69 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Defensive tackle Arik Armstead #69 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Defensive End Arik Armstead

The 49ers invested heavily in their defensive line the past few years, meaning there’s a lot of talent there but also relatively few spaces.

With second-year pro DeForest Buckner emerging as one of the league’s elite interior linemen, and the Niners pulling for a strong second year from 2017 rookie Solomon Thomas, it’s possible fellow defensive end Arik Armstead is pushed out of the picture.

Armstead’s 2017 came to a disappointing close after he broke his hand in Week 6. And with the additional figures on San Francisco’s D-line, it’s possible he’s an odd man out.

Thomas and Buckner are in better shape to solidify long-term roles under the new regime, while Armstead’s injury history and being a holdover from the Trent Baalke era work against him.

In coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense, the Niners experimented with Armstead as a LEO 5-technique. It didn’t exactly work, though, as Armstead is probably better suited to provide more of an interior pass rush.

Those spots are occupied by Thomas and Buckner in sub packages.

Next: 2018 Round 1 NFL Draft mock: New Year's Day edition

Armstead’s first-round status might be enough to allow some leeway here, but it’s also plausible the Niners look to move on from their former first-round pick from 2015.