Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking the 49ers’ 5 best position groups entering 2019

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Nick Bosa of Ohio State reacts after being chosen #2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Defensive Line

The 49ers defensive line was deep in 2017 and 2018, yet it was only marginally exceptional. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was essentially the only standout from the trio of former first-round draft picks, which also included Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas.

Buckner, whose 12 sacks last year earned him Pro Bowl honors, got a lot of additional help during the offseason.

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Two of San Francisco’s biggest moves were to acquire edge rusher Dee Ford via a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, then adding arguably college football’s top prospect, Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa, with the No. 2 overall pick this year.

Add them all up, the Niners now have five first-round draftees along the D-line entering 2019.

One of those five is going to be subbed out on every play, likely Ford on running downs and Thomas on passing downs. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the added rotation serves to keep the others fresh over a full 16-game season.

And that’s only another reason why the 49ers defensive line is expected to be dominant in 2019.

Additionally, one can expect San Francisco’s sack totals, which were at 37 last season (tied for 22nd), should see a dramatic spike this year.

Next. 3 second-year 49ers who'll break out in 2019. dark

If so, the Niners defense should also benefit from the uptick in up-front production, too.