Understandably and justifiably, the 49ers were prepared for this day. Justin Smith retired Monday, but his replacement already arrived. First-round pick Arik Armstead has signed and reported to rookie minicamp.
That is unless Armstead, the defensive tackle from Oregon, is replacing Ray McDonald. What is certain, though, is that he won’t be replacing linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, who retired unexpectedly earlier this offseason.
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That’s four gaps to fill in a front seven that has been the 49ers’ defensive core over the last four seasons, encompassing three NFC title game appearances and one Super Bowl trip. The coach who led that defense, coordinator Vic Fangio, is now with Bears. The assistant who built that line, Jim Tomsula, is now Jim Harbaugh’s replacement as head coach.
This is all taking place while the defensive-minded Seahawks and Cardinals remain the teams the 49ers have to catch in the NFC West. San Francisco's offseason has been devoted to filling the ever-growing holes in the defense, which despite disruptions from injuries and suspensions still finished fifth overall in the NFL last season.
Barring more upheaval, here's who will be either new to the 49ers or in a different place when camp opens.
Arik Armstead — This is the player the 49ers counted on to be available when they traded down with the Chargers in the first round. He has big shoes to fill, but he has the size and ability to be even more of a headache than Smith was.
Darnell Dockett — The 49ers snapped up the veteran defensive tackle when the Cardinals let him go following a year off the field (ACL tear). He’s expected to be ready when the season begins, but he turns 34 later this month. He’s still worth the signing, especially with McDonald (released late last season) and Smith gone.
Tank Carradine — A year after redshirting out of college to rehab a torn ACL, Carradine was slowly worked into the rotation last year and got increased playing time after McDonald was released. The 49ers knew what they were in for when they spent a second-round pick on a player they knew couldn't play for a year. This is where they get the reward for the risk (they hope).
Glenn Dorsey — Once the fifth overall pick, Dorsey didn’t play at all last season after tearing his biceps in training camp. He turns 30 this year, and this is a big season for him; a chance to grab a regular spot up front, if not a starting spot.
NaVorro Bowman — He never suited up in 2014 after rehabbing a knee injury suffered in the 2013 NFC title game loss in Seattle. Considering the the mass defection at linebacker, all eyes are on Bowman to be fully healed and back to his form from two years ago.
Eli Harold — The speedy, pass-rushing outside linebacker picked in the third round likely will be fast-tracked into the rotation. He'll get a chance to complement Aldon Smith and cover a lot of ground. They’ll need him to.
