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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players to watch on defense in 2018 training camp

By Mitchell Blahut

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Arik Armstead

The former Oregon Duck’s time in San Francisco hasn’t met up to expectations. Arik Armstead has come up with only six sacks, 50 total tackles, one forced fumble and one pass deflection to this point in his career. Worst of all, he’s been bitten multiple times by the injury bug that ended his 2016 and 2017 campaigns.

However, the 49ers have picked up Armstead’s fifth-year option based on his potential and a position change that’s better for the scheme. Armstead is being moved from the LEO position to the big end spot to utilize his size and skill set better. Better yet, he will be in the same defensive system for a second-straight year for the first time in his career.

The new role is something that is better suited for a player of his stature at 6-7 and 275 pounds. Plus, his ability to rush on the inside along with his former college teammate, DeForest Buckner, will help him in getting the most out of his potential.

It’s either sink or swim at this point for the 2015 first-rounder after his injury history, and if he can’t show why he was worth the option pickup, then he could be out of a job shortly. And given the fact that he’s already listed as week-to-week with a hamstring injury, things aren’t exactly looking great early on in camp.

Jimmie Ward

It’s unsure what is going to happen with Jimmie Ward at this point. He’s a talented and versatile defensive back without a starting spot in sight.

  • His former high school teammate, Jaquiski Tartt, has the starting strong safety spot taken over.
  • Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon have the right and left cornerback spots secured, respectively.
  • K’Waun Williams is the nickel corner specialist.
  • And Adrian Colbert looks to have taken over the single high safety spot away from Ward as well.

It’s unfortunate for the 2014 first-rounder. Mainly when the expectations for Ward were so high initially. However, if he can show his worth during training camp, then he will get more playing time. It’s unlikely for him to garner a starting spot with all of the talents above, but it’s not likely for them to have him on the sidelines for the entire season.

He’s an expensive insurance policy as he’s guaranteed $8.2 million this season, but he’s worth it if one of the starters goes down.