How Demarcus Dobbs Can Kick Several Guys Off the Roster

We already know that Demarcus Dobbs is playing a fair amount of tight end this off-season. We also know he was an emerging young player on the defensive line last year. It's starting to look like a certainty that he'll make the roster with all of his versatility.

Well, in the game against Houston, Dobbs added even more versatility to his repertoire. He played some defensive end in the nickel package. This is generally where a 3-4 outside linebacker would play on third-down, as a pass-rusher. With Dobbs playing TE, it makes me wonder if he's going to get a look as a deep reserve at OLB, too.

The guy can move like a TE and he's rushing on the outside where OLB's usually do...it stands to reason he could be adding yet another position to his arsenal.

Even if he's not being looked at as a true OLB, he would at the very least mitigate the need for another nimble edge rusher in nickel...a spot that someone like Eric Bakhtiari could otherwise occupy.

It's possible that the 49ers could go with three true OLB's again this year, as they did in 2011, with Dobbs being available as a backup pass-rusher or rotational player in Nickel. That would mean Dobbs has the potential to not only push a TE off the roster, but also a DL and an OLB.

His versatility is great, but it could cost more than one teammate a roster spot. That's not such a bad thing, just something to consider.