49ers updated roster bubble watch after 2021 OTAs
By Peter Panacy
49ers Bubble Watch: Defensive Line
Lock: Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa, Samson Ebukam, D.J. Jones, Javon Kinlaw
Strong Bubble: Kevin Givens, Maurice Hurst, Zach Kerr, Jordan Willis
Weak Bubble: Alex Barrett, Darrion Daniels, Dee Ford, Arden Key, Kentavius Street
Long Shot: Daeshon Hall
The 49ers against boast a deep defensive line, yet the biggest storylines will center on the health of EDGEs Nick Bosa and Dee Ford.
Bosa is further along in his recovery from an ACL tear suffered last year, and all signs are pointing to him being ready in time for training camp. The same can’t be said of Ford, though, although Kyle Shanahan is holding out hope Ford can return to the field in late July.
Don’t count on it, though.
Defensive tackle Kevin Givens saw his roster chances increase dramatically when an offseason off-field assault charge was dropped, and first-year Niners defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans expressed his enthusiasm about Givens’ potential role this season.
Yet San Francisco has plenty of nose tackles to support D.J. Jones, putting Givens and another offseason pickup, Zach Kerr, on the bubble.
It’ll be interesting to watch two other free-agent pickups, Arden Key and Maurice Hurst, in training camp as well. Both are looking to resurrect their careers after flaming out with the Las Vegas Raiders and could work their way towards becoming key rotational players on the 49ers defense.
Along with Bosa and Ford, though, much of the focus will center on second-year pro defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and whether or not he takes that next crucial step in his development.