With 49ers OTAs in full swing, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the team’s roster to figure out the strengths, weaknesses, potential dark horses to make the team and other nuggets about the players who will be competing for jobs on the 53-man roster.
The 49ers made a choice on their defensive interior after the 2019 season when they traded away defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Since then they’ve had a hard time finding stability in the middle of their very good defensive line. They finally went out this offseason and fixed it by signing former Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
That one move changes the entire complexion of the 49ers’ defensive interior where Hargrave pushes players down the depth chart and into roles likely more suitable for their success.
Despite some injury issues up front, the 49ers still managed to put together a good pass rush and a stout run defense last year. They’ll have an opportunity this year with a reworked DL to have even more success in the trenches, which should help the rest of their very good defensive unit.
Let’s look at how the defensive tackle group on the 49ers’ 90-man roster is shaking out heading into camp: