San Francisco 49ers: Grading each position heading into 2018 training camp

Key Additions: Jeremiah Attaochu, Julian Taylor

On one hand, the 49ers have a lot of first-round talent on their defensive line. But on the other, only defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has emerged as a legitimate force.

The two other first rounders, Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas, have shown flashes of brilliance. But neither has totally lived up to that Round 1 draft-expectation level. There are signs Thomas could have a solid second year, particularly if the Niners keep him on the inside in passing situations.

That’s good, but it leaves arguably the most important aspect of San Francisco’s D-line in question — the pass rush.

In fairness, 2018 didn’t provide a lot of options for upgrades here. Free agency was weak, and the NFL Draft was pretty thin on outside pass-rushers.

Because of that, one of the only big moves John Lynch could make was grabbing former Chargers EDGE Jeremiah Attaochu in free agency. And Attaochu has a mere 10 sacks over four years at the NFL level.

Perhaps Attaochu and a handful of other blue-chip players on the roster are adequate enough to supply the pass rush.

In all likelihood, though, this will probably wind up being one of the team’s bigger weaknesses in 2018.