Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Training camp battles to watch at each position

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 02: Patrick Willis #52 works out during the San Francisco 49ers training camp at their training complex on August 2, 2010 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 02: Patrick Willis #52 works out during the San Francisco 49ers training camp at their training complex on August 2, 2010 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/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: Arik Armstead vs. Solomon Thomas

The 49ers already have three of their four starting positions along the defensive line set entering 2019. Pro Bowler DeForest Buckner anchors a weak-side 3-technique, while EDGE Dee Ford will line up next to him on the weak side. San Francisco’s top pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, EDGE Nick Bosa, gets strong-side pass-rushing duties.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

And in run-stopping downs, nose tackle D.J. Jones should see plenty of snaps.

That leaves one spot open, and it boils down to two former first-round picks, defensive tackles Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas.

Armstead has the benefit of being the Niners’ second-best defender from last season behind Buckner, according to Pro Football Focus. Thomas, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back underwhelming seasons after the 49ers drafted him No. 3 overall back in 2017.

Ideally, San Francisco would like Thomas to win this competition, since the team has more invested in him at this point, as well as Armstead playing on a contract year. Thomas winning would allow the Niners to move on from Armstead in 2020.

That said, after winning just 10 games the last two seasons, the 49ers are in no position to stray from putting the best players on the field in 2019.

If Armstead wins out in training camp, he’ll start. Thomas’ budding “bust” moniker will continue to grow.