San Francisco 49ers: Full 2018 depth-chart predictions ahead of Week 1
By Peter Panacy
Defensive Line
1-Technique: Earl Mitchell, D.J. Jones
3-Technique: DeForest Buckner, Sheldon Day
5-Technique (Big End): Arik Armstead, Jullian Taylor, Ronald Blair
LEO: Solomon Thomas, Cassius Marsh
Like the linebacker crop, the 49ers will employ a number of different packages and rotations along their defensive line this season. So the above projections are for base formations and not sub packages.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who thrived in an inside 3-technique role last season, could move outside to the LEO spot on passing downs, which is something the Niners experimented in camp. This would allow second-year pro Solomon Thomas, who looked exceptional in limited preseason action, to bump inside in sub packages and maximize his interior pass-rushing abilities.
San Francisco also flashed some nice depth with Sheldon Day, Ronald Blair and Jullian Taylor excelling during the preseason too. Their ability to play multiple spots along the D-line should help tremendously.
There is a big question mark at LEO, however, particularly after the 49ers elected not to retain edge rusher Jeremiah Attaochu out of roster cuts. It puts a lot of pressure on Cassius Marsh, who has just six career sacks to his credit.
Earl Mitchell gets the start at nose tackle, although it wouldn’t be a shock to see him supplanted by second-year pro D.J. Jones at some point this season.