Let’s say there are four options. Who are you taking?

Health will be key for the San Francisco 49ers if they want to make the leap to the playoffs in 2019. Ironically enough, they took a chance on some players with injury questions in free agency. Somebody is going to have a big year on the 49ers defense that none of us are expecting. Life is a lot easier if you have three people on the defensive line that can get a sack on any given play. If the Niners play their cards right, they’ll be heading into the season with three high quality players that can rush the passer. All that’ll do is allow someone else to take advantage of their opportunity. Who will that be, though?

Today we’ll talk about the 4 options it could be on the defensive line. The first overall pick doesn’t count.

Options, options, options

There are a couple of obvious options as well as a couple of afterthoughts. You may have heard the Niners have a couple of former first round picks that haven’t panned out. This is likely a make or break it year for Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead. As a third option—with nothing but 1-on-1’s—that could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Ronald Blair finished the season with 5.5 sacks. He also finished the season with 12 pressures. He will need to generate pressure at a much higher rate. Perhaps as a third rusher when either Dee Ford or first round draft pick kicks inside, Blair could be the beneficiary of that. Let’s say Kentavius Street fully recovers from injury. Street was known as a very good athlete that hustles all over the field. He could also be the type of player that breaks out.

Who do you think it will be, and why?