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49ers 2018 offseason positional preview: Defensive line

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: The defense for the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the offense of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter on September 23, 2012 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-13. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: The defense for the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the offense of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter on September 23, 2012 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-13. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a sack of Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a sack of Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

49ers Defensive Line Roster Predictions and Depth Chart

There are few, if any, starting jobs along San Francisco’s defensive line up for grabs. In base formations, DeForest Buckner handles the 3-technique, Earl Mitchell the 1-technique, Solomon Thomas the 5-technique (LEO) and Arik Armstead the other 5-technique (big end).

Things change in sub packages, of course, with Thomas moving inside and Mitchell coming off the field. To supply the edge rush, the 49ers will turn to Jeremiah Attaochu and Cassius Marsh.

While both have flashed promise at various points in their careers, the two have a combined 16 sacks over the past four years. Not exactly a look of encouragement. Hopefully, the Niners’ interior pass rush will be good enough.

Lost in the shuffle a bit is Armstead, who missed all but six games last season with a broken hand. Last year, Pro Football Focus gave Armstead a 7.9 pass-rush productivity rating, which isn’t far behind Buckner’s 8.2 mark. And in 2016, Armstead’s PRP was 11.2.

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Moving to the big end should put Armstead in the best position to succeed since joining the NFL.

As for the rest of the depth chart?

  • DeForest Buckner
  • Solomon Thomas
  • Earl Mitchell
  • Arik Armstead
  • Cassius Marsh
  • Jeremiah Attaochu
  • Sheldon Day
  • D.J. Jones
  • Ronald Blair

Projected backup players listed in italics.

This is for a base defense, and we’ll obviously see pass-rushers, like Attaochu and Marsh, come in for sub packages and pass-rushing situations.

Both Sheldon Day and Ronald Blair get the not due to their ability to occupy various positions along the defensive line. That’s crucial. And 2017 rookie D.J. Jones flashed enough promise to be more than just a serviceable backup to Mitchell.

Next: Predicting which 5 49ers make the Pro Bowl in 2019

If it all works out well, the Niners D-line could finally wind up reaching a fuller potential this season. If not, it wouldn’t be a shock if San Francisco uses yet another first-round pick on the line in 2019, likely for a quality edge rusher.