Niner Noise
FanSided

An early look at 49ers’ best position battles in 2019 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Tramaine Brock #26 during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over Tramaine Brock #26 during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Rashod Hill #69 of the Minnesota Vikings blocks Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: Rashod Hill #69 of the Minnesota Vikings blocks Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Two of the 49ers’ top targets in the 2019 NFL Draft could easily bump a first-round player off the defensive line this season.

Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa and Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams are viewed as the top two prospects in this year’s class, and the Niners will have a shot at one of them with the No. 2 overall pick.

After acquiring former Kansas City Chiefs EDGE Dee Ford via a trade, the Niners could put a player like Bosa on the strong side of the defensive line. Likewise, Williams could take over an interior spot and bump fifth-year defensive tackle Arik Armstead out to the big-end spot on the strong side of the defense.

light. Related Story. How 49ers' trade for Dee Ford affects plans in the NFL Draft

Yet there are only so many prominent spots, and picking either Bosa or Williams could push San Francisco’s top pick from the 2017 NFL Draft, Solomon Thomas, into a mere rotational role.

Armstead and Thomas are likely the ones competing the most with each other this training camp.

Neither will lose a roster spot this season. But being dropped to a mere backup is significant, and it also will end up pushing one of the many depth players off the roster once the preseason is complete.