49ers 2019 roster bubble-watch prediction ahead of preseason Week 1
By Peter Panacy
Defensive Line
Lock: Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford, D.J. Jones, Solomon Thomas
Strong Bubble: Ronald Blair, Sheldon Day, Kentavius Street, Jullian Taylor
Weak Bubble: Kevin Givens, Damontre Moore
Long Shot: Jay Bromley, Jamell Garcia-Williams, Jordan Thompson
Arguably the strongest unit on the 49ers roster heading into 2019, the defensive line has some of the toughest choices between now and Week 1.
Especially in terms of depth.
San Francisco’s crop of former first-round NFL Draft picks are all safe, sure. So is nose tackle D.J. Jones, although he won’t see too much of the field. Kevin Givens could find himself on the roster as Jones’ backup, but that doesn’t seem likely.
The real battle here will be between all those immediate backups and reserves. Two established veterans, Ronald Blair and Sheldon Day, are looking pretty good right now. But they’ll be challenged by last year’s preseason standout, Jullian Taylor, as well as the 2018 redshirted defensive tackle, Kentavius Street, who seriously appears to be the strongest player on the 90-man roster.
One, maybe two of those strong-bubble four might not make the cut, making all their camp and preseason reps extremely vital.