49ers vs. Titans: Re-introducing Tony Jerod-Eddie

The 49ers face the Tennessee Titans in Week 7, and as we discussed earlier in the week, one of the biggest matchups of the day could be the 49ers nose tackle, Tony Jerod-Eddie vs. Titans rookie center Brian Schwenke. The 49ers activated Quinton Dial on Saturday, so it is entirely possible he gets his share of nose tackle time. But for now, I am operating under the assumption that Tony Jerod-Eddie will get the bulk of the snaps.

It will be interesting to see if Jerod-Eddie can get consistent leverage inside. Like Dial, TJE stands 6'5. The 49ers converted Alex Boone into a guard with huge height, but until we see some consistency from TJE, that height is going to be in the back of my mind.

TJE has made appearances before, but given that this is likely going to be his first start for the 49ers, it seemed appropriate to pull up some previous scouting reports. There are not a lot out there given his late status. Draft Insider had a look at his strengths and weaknesses. It reads as a guy with serious size and solid athleticism, but one who lacked any semblance of consistency. Even facing a rookie center, TJE will need to bring it on a consistent basis. Chris Johnson has struggled this season, but if you give him some space, that speed can do some damage.

When I discussed Tony Jerod-Eddie earlier this offseason, I mentioned how he could get some mop-up opportunities, but that would change once Quinton Dial and Tank Carradine got healthy. My, how things changed. Injuries have moved him into the starting lineup, but it comes just as Quinton Dial is getting healthy.

Will we see Dial supplant him on the depth chart sooner rather than later? It's too soon to know exactly what Dial will do at the NFL level, but it's certainly interesting.