Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Way-too-early 53-man roster projections for 2019

By Robert Morrison

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Members of the San Francisco 49ers line up in the tunnel to take the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Members of the San Francisco 49ers line up in the tunnel to take the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 23: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 23: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line (9): DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford, Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas, Ronald Blair III, Kentavius Street, DJ Jones, Jullian Taylor, Nick Bosa

This is a pretty easy group to know who will be there for the 49ers in 2019.

DeForest Buckner has been the team’s best defender over the last few years, Dee Ford just signed a big money deal, Arik Armstead showed promise in his first full season without major injury, Solomon Thomas is only entering his third year in the NFL, while Ronald Blair and D.J. Jones both have specific skill sets that can help the team out a great deal.

And of course, Nick Bosa will be there because he’s the first-round pick from this year’s NFL Draft and stands to have an immediate impact on the 49ers’ ability to get to quarterbacks.

The question then becomes twofold: Do the Niners keep eight or nine defensive lineman? And who fills those spots if the number goes that high?

If the number is eight, I like Kentavius Street, last year’s fourth-round pick out of NC State who spent the entire season on injured reserve, to step up and take the spot. If it gets to nine, other solid candidates include Jullian Taylor, who played well last season in limited snaps, and Sheldon Day, although the lack of versatility in both cases might harm them more than hurt.