49ers roster: Predicting who makes the 2021 cut on defensive line
By Peter Panacy
Defensive linemen currently on the 49ers offseason depth chart
If there’s a side bonus to the 49ers having plenty of openings behind the presumed cast of starters, it means there’ll be some wide-open competition to assume some of those reserve roles ahead of Week 1.
Right now, the following players are currently on the Niners’ offseason roster:
- Arik Armstead
- Alex Barrett
- Nick Bosa
- Darrion Daniels
- Samson Ebukam
- Dee Ford
- Kevin Givens
- Daeshon Hall
- Maurice Hurst
- D.J. Jones
- Zach Kerr
- Arden Key
- Javon Kinlaw
- Kentavius Street
- Jordan Willis
Willis was recently slapped with a six-game suspension because of a PED violation, so he’ll be off the 53-man roster in Week 1 and opens up another spot for competition.
That in of itself creates some wonder. After Ebukam and Nick Bosa, San Francisco doesn’t exactly have a lot of pass-rushing depth that’s either proven or filled with promise.
Related Story: 49ers pass-rushing depth will be tested by Jordan Willis’ suspension
The 49ers elected not to reinforce their crop of edge rushers via the NFL Draft this year, meaning pickups like Ebukam and Key might be the names to watch here.
But that’s not the only training camp storyline to monitor later this summer.