Niner Noise
FanSided

5 49ers with the most to gain in preseason Week 1 vs. Cowboys

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Tarvarus McFadden #33 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers one the game 24-21. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Tarvarus McFadden #33 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers one the game 24-21. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 24: Ronald Blair #98 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after sacking Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 24: Ronald Blair #98 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after sacking Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Defensive End Ronald Blair

The 49ers boast arguably the deepest defensive line in the league entering 2019. And while that’s good for the team overall, it does spell some danger for players deeper down the depth chart.

One example is fourth-year defensive end Ronald Blair, who suddenly finds himself on the roster bubble despite finishing tied for second on the team in sacks last season with 5.5.

Along with other defensive linemen — Sheldon Day, Jullian Taylor, Kentavius Street, etc. — Blair will be one of the depth players to watch early this preseason.

And there’s a good chance he’ll see a lot of the field, too.

EDGE Dee Ford (knee) will likely be held out of this exhibition contest. Defensive tackle Arik Armstead has also missed practices lately with a calf injury. It’s also unlikely San Francisco will give extended snaps to fellow linemen, Nick Bosa and DeForest Buckner, especially with Bosa suffering what appeared to be a minor injury Wednesday during training camp.

As a result, one should expect Blair to get plenty of reps versus Dallas. If he’s able to showcase his abilities and value, especially if they’re clearly above his remaining Niners competitors, it will go a long way in ensuring he’ll be safe from post-preseason roster cuts.

And perhaps a big reason why he stays high on the D-line depth chart this season.