San Francisco 49ers: 5 under-the-radar players you should watch in training camp
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Nose Tackle D.J. Jones
The 49ers have plenty of depth along their defensive line entering 2018, although it’s appearing the starting four are pretty much set.
San Francisco 49ers
One of those starters is nose tackle Earl Mitchell, who was one of general manager John Lynch’s first free-agent acquisitions back in 2017.
But Mitchell’s tenure with the team may be in question. After all, 2017 rookie D.J. Jones might end up being the eventual replacement. And there are a few reasons to suspect why it happens sooner than later.
For starters, Mitchell will turn 31 years old this season. It also doesn’t help his 5.0 run-stop percentage in 2017 was the worst out of any qualifying player in the league last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Mitchell’s contract, namely the $4.1 million in dead money if cut, indicates he’ll be on the 53-man roster to start this season. But the numbers get a bit more friendly in 2019, meaning the 49ers will be eyeing the younger, cheaper Jones to see if he can take over next year.
A solid training camp is crucial for Jones’ prospects to do so.