San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting lineup for 2018
By Peter Panacy
Defensive Line
Nose Tackle: D.J. Jones
3-Technique: DeForest Buckner
5-Technique “Big” End: Jadeveon Clowney
LEO: Nick Bosa
Alright. Time to play around with some even bigger changes.
The 49ers have invested three first-round picks in their defensive line the past three seasons. Only one of them, DeForest Buckner, has truly panned out. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead had his fifth-year option picked up by San Francisco earlier this offseason. But the Niners can cut bait with zero financial loss if he’s released before the league new year.
And 2017 first-round draft pick, Solomon Thomas, is looking to be little more than an OK rotational player.
In this scenario, the 49ers add two prolific pass-rushers (arguably their biggest offseason need) by grabbing the Houston Texans’ Jadeveon Clowney in free agency and selecting Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Bosa can hold his own against the run, emerging as a true every-down player. While he just underwent an abdominal procedure, he should be good to go by draft season.
With these two moves, the 49ers have tremendous edge presence and the interior dominance Buckner has displayed since being selected back in 2016.
Oh, and it’s time to change out nose tackle Earl Mitchell with the younger, cheaper D.J. Jones.