The 49ers have a lot of quality defensive linemen. Who gets to play?
The release of defensive lineman Darnell Dockett wasn't the most surprising thing to happen this offseason for the San Francisco 49ers. But it definitely wasn't something anybody expected given the guaranteed money on his contract and the good fit for him stepping in to replace Justin Smith. They're both aging veterans who need to take plays off here and there.
I tend to think Dockett wasn't released for injury reasons, and was more let go as part of Jim Tomsula and the rest of the coaching staff both liking what they saw from the rest of the defensive linemen on the roster and a desire to simply get younger and push the transition the team is going through forward by about a year.