Niner Noise
FanSided

Projected 49ers Week 1 starting lineup halfway through 2018 preseason

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 hands off to Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 hands off to Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

1-Technique (Nose): Earl Mitchell

3-Technique (DT): DeForest Buckner

5-Technique (Big End): Arik Armstead

LEO: Solomon Thomas

It’s important to note this projection is for base downs. Third-year defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who has actually seen some practice time at the LEO pass-rushing spot in practice, remains the team’s best defensive player entering 2018. After posting just three sacks in 2018, however, he’ll need some help.

That may come in second-year defender Solomon Thomas, who’ll enjoy a more solidified role this season after a disappointing rookie campaign a year ago. Thomas, who is currently recovering from a concussion, likely stays at the LEO spot and bumps inside in sub packages where his pass-rush abilities are best put to use.

Thomas looked good during his limited action in Week 1 of the preseason, combining with Buckner for a sack on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

There are some remaining question marks after these two defensive linemen, however.

One is the other first-round draft pick, Arik Armstead, who has missed the Niners’ first two preseason games with a hamstring issue. The good news is both he and Thomas are projected to play against the Colts:

There’s a thought Armstead could lose out his starting job to the rookie, Jullian Taylor. But that probably doesn’t happen in Week 1 as long as Armstead is healthy.

Same with nose tackle Earl Mitchell, who’ll be replaced by second-year pro D.J. Jones. Just not right off the bat when the regular season begins.