Was the surprise breakout already on the roster?
The defensive line has been the backbone of the John Lynch-Kyle Shanahan regime. For years, that unit carried the team. Last year, the offense took their game to unseen levels, which ultimately masked some injury issues along the defensive front.
Heading into 2024, the San Francisco 49ers had to decide whether it was worth the risk of Arik Armstead playing an entire season. A year older with another injury at that price factored into the decision to release Armstead. The loss of Javon Hargrave meant the 49ers would be busy during free agency.
In the upcoming season, Javon Hargrave will be joined by two new defensive tackles, Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott. These new additions will be stepping into the shoes of Armstead and Kinlaw, bringing a fresh dynamic to the team’s defensive strategy. On the opposite side of Nick Bosa, we can expect to see some new faces as well.
Chase Young and Randy Gregory walk in what was going to be addition by subtraction either way and are replaced with players with more versatility in Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos. The latter sees his production increase when he lines up inside. Floyd was the first established option to oppose Bosa since Dee Ford.
Robert Beal Jr. had done enough in practices leading up to the Super Bowl to warrant playing time as a fifth-round rookie. That should tell you he’s in the 49ers plans moving forward. The University of Georgia is the new University of Alabama for those unfamiliar with college football. The Bulldogs put players into the league who play with a different style of intent while being as well coached as possible. Beal is a potential breakout candidate, but more like a Samson Ebukam than a Charles Omenihu type.
Beal is my pick.
There are only so many snaps for Drake Jackson, Kalia Davis, and Kevin Givens. Hargrave should see an uptick in snaps, while Floyd and Bosa will be on the field 70 percent of the time.
Today’s community question asks which 49er will be the odd man out at defensive tackle and edge rusher and which will be the biggest surprise. I’ll say Beal Jr. ends up being a pleasant surprise, while Collins disappoints and is phased out of the rotation.
How do you think the rotation will work itself out this season?