SF 49ers: Predicting Week 1 depth chart after final roster cuts
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Defensive Line
Nose Tackle: D.J. Jones, Kevin Givens
Defensive Tackle: Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Kentavius Street
Left Defensive End: Arik Armstead, Kerry Hyder
Right Defensive End: Nick Bosa, Dee Ford
San Francisco’s defensive line will remain the team’s strongest and deepest unit heading into 2020.
The depth took a bit of a hit with the team announcing defensive ends Ronald Blair and Jullian Taylor would start the year on the physically unable-to-perform list while still recovering from ACL tears suffered late last season. Those injuries thrust reserve linemen Kentavius Street and Kerry Hyder into the equation, at least for the first six weeks of 2020.
The rotation will still be key, however, as nose tackle D.J. Jones will be on the field in base formations, likely being subbed out in nickel formations with defensive tackle Arik Armstead bumping inside to open up an outside pass-rushing spot for EDGE Dee Ford.
One might expect Ford, who has dealt with injuries over his stead with the 49ers, to be somewhat limited on snaps, especially early. Second-year pro Nick Bosa, last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, will be an every-down player.
And that’s what the Niners want their first overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, to be right away, too. But Kinlaw’s development is coming along a little slower than anticipated, meaning he might be in a regular rotation with defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.
Thomas looks to be a key rotational player for San Francisco this season, and the hope is for him to play almost exclusively on the inside.