The San Francisco 49ers defense will enter the 2019 season with a beefed-up defensive front. Upgrading that unit was a clear goal this offseason.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan added playmakers on the edges when they traded for veteran Dee Ford and drafted Nick Bosa. The two, both first-round picks, join a defensive line that already had Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, and Solomon Thomas.
That's five total first-round picks making up the revamped defensive line.
Lynch and Shanahan kicked off training camp by speaking to the media on Friday. What are the expectations for the bolstered defensive line which finished last season tied for No. 22 in the league when it comes to bringing down opposing quarterbacks?
"I want them to wreak havoc on the league," Lynch said. "I think we're excited about bringing these guys (in), and also adding a tremendous coach in Kris Kocurek, along with Chris Kiffin, to really get the most out of the group that really has to play at a high level for us.
"A lot of our resources have gone there. That's because Kyle and I both believe that you've got to hit the quarterback, and you've got to bring him down.
"I'm more excited than any other time in our time being here with our ability to do that because of some of the moves that we've made. Just what I saw in the offseason, the development of some of our players, the depth of our unit, we can come at you in waves. I think we've got guys that can consistently win as well.
"I think some of the moves we've made, Dee and Nick, are going to highlight and allow guys like Buck, and Armstead, and Solly to really start to put their talents to use as well. It's going to be a little bit of a pick your poison. Who do you want to double?
"That's fun. Now they've got to go do it."
Shanahan added that he enjoyed watching the confidence the group had during the team's offseason program. The players who make up the unit are well aware of the pressure to perform and welcome it.
"They're extremely confident," Shanahan added. "They believe they can live up to that pressure, which makes it fun."