49ers’ 2019 53-man roster predictions before training camp

Defensive Line (8)

Weak-side Defensive End: Arik Armstead, Dee Ford

Weak-side Defensive Tackle: DeForest Buckner, Kentavius Street

Strong-side Defensive Tackle: D.J. Jones, Solomon Thomas

Strong-side Defensive End: Nick Bosa, Ronald Blair

This projection lists the 49ers defensive line in base formation, so don’t worry about EDGE Dee Ford being listed as a backup. He’s not much of a run stopper, so look for him to be present in sub packages on passing downs.

Those tend to be the prevalent formation for NFL defenses anyway.

San Francisco’s D-line is deep, which is good. It sets up the possibility for a regular rotation, and the Niners will enact such over the course of 2019. Rookie EDGE Nick Bosa is a good run stopper, keeping him on the field as much as possible. But Ford likely subs out the veteran, Arik Armstead, on pass-rushing situations. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner stays put, of course, with nose tackle D.J. Jones present on run-stopping formations.

This pushes fellow defensive end Solomon Thomas into a reserve role, which is justified after his two sub-par years following the 49ers selecting him No. 3 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Rounding out the eight selected are depth linemen Ronald Blair and Kentavius Street. Street likely pushes out defensive tackle Sheldon Day, who’ll face an uphill battle to crack the 53-man roster this season.