Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 49ers defensive starting lineup before 2020 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Defensive end Dee Ford #55 , middle linebacker Kwon Alexander #56 and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate a sack during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Defensive end Dee Ford #55 , middle linebacker Kwon Alexander #56 and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate a sack during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with Arik Armstead #91 and Dee Ford #55 (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with Arik Armstead #91 and Dee Ford #55 (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Nose Tackle: D.J. Jones

Defensive Tackle: Solomon Thomas

Defensive End: Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa

Losing DeForest Buckner isn’t something the 49ers can make up with simply one player, although fourth-year pro Solomon Thomas figures to benefit the most from Buckner’s absence.

It’s likely the Niners insert Thomas into a full-time inside role after failing to get him to produce off the edge. This might help get something of a return on the team’s No. 3 overall draft-pick investment from 2017, yet it’s premature to think Thomas will suddenly fill that huge void all by himself.

Arik Armstead likely sets the edge on base downs, moving inside in passing situations to give EDGE Dee Ford his pass-rushing opportunities. As NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco pointed out, this’ll be necessary to keep Ford both fresh and healthy in 2020.

Fellow EDGE Nick Bosa, meanwhile, will remain on the weak side of the formation, both on running and passing downs, as his 2019 rookie campaign proved he was equally capable of defending against both.

San Francisco will be hoping for a fully healthy return by nose tackle D.J. Jones, who was having a career-best year in 2019 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.