San Francisco 49ers: 3 strongest position groups on 2020 roster
No. 1: 49ers Defensive Line
There could be no other answer.
The defensive line last year was the engine that pulled the 49ers to the Super Bowl, and despite the loss of DeForest Buckner, the Niners have kept a stacked unit.
On the edges, the Niners have the ascending transcendent star, Nick Bosa, who quickly showed out as probably the best edge rusher on the 49ers roster coupled with the quick-jump Dee Ford, whose presence, despite injuries, lifted the Niners defense from merely good to great. Together, they revitalized the defensive line, unlocking opportunities for nearly every player.
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On the interior, the aforementioned loss of Buckner will hurt the roster for sure. Buckner was rock-solid in the middle and provided a steady outpour of consistent above-average play. However, alongside him was Arik Armstead, who exploded onto the scene with the stats during his fifth year after showing flashes of talent in years prior. His pass-rush capabilities seemingly exceeded those of Buckner’s, and the only thing that seems to be necessary now is consistency.
Replacing Buckner, though, is Javon Kinlaw, the rookie out of South Carolina. In breaking down the initial selection, I praised Kinlaw on his explosive nature at the line of scrimmage. While he may not immediately meet the production of Buckner, he’ll be able to fill in nicely for San Francisco.
While the top-end talent on the defensive line is spectacular, that doesn’t begin to underscore the depth. A player like D.J. Jones, who flashed tremendous potential as a nose tackle, would not nominally be considered a starter at this time. Ronald Blair III has shown great talent as a rotational piece, and that’s what he is on this team. Solomon Thomas may finally get the opportunity to play at his natural position.
The 49ers have a stacked defensive line from front to back. The only major fear is that of stark regression from the unit, but the sheer depth and skill in this position group will make sure any regression is minimal.
Next. 3 reasons why San Francisco 49ers will struggle in 2020. dark
There are quite a few deserving position groups on the 49ers roster that could be mentioned here, perhaps the best sign of the team’s overall talent. Any struggles they will have would require either a nearly unfathomable amount of regression or an even worse rash of injuries than in previous years.