49ers expected to stick with 3-4 in 2015

Matt Maiocco was chatting with readers yesterday, and he revealed some information that clarifies one offseason question. Maiocco said he heard the San Francisco 49ers are planning on sticking with a 3-4 defense in 2015. MM got this information in speaking "to a coach with knowledge of what the 49ers were talking about during their pursuit of a defensive coordinator."

Previously I had said the 49ers were expected to switch to a 4-3 defense under head coach Jim Tomsula. Much like my thoughts on Rob Chudzniski, I was wrong. As has been pointed out, it would appear my predictive powers are fairly awful. and yes, I will be using them hopefully for good this weekend as we approach the Super Bowl!

The 49ers head into the offseason with a defensive front that could looks like this in 2015. I am going with the assumptions that Justin Smith retires and Ahmad Brooks is released. Obviously one or both could be back, and this does not event reflect potential draft picks and free agents, but it is a starting point:

DT: Tony Jerod-Eddie, Quinton Dial
NT: Glenn Dorsey, Ian Williams, Quinton Dial, Mike Purcell
DT: Tank Carradine, Kaleb Ramsey, Lawrence Okoye

OLB: Aldon Smith, Corey Lemonier
ILB: Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, Desmond Bishop
ILB: NaVorro Bowman, Michael Wilhoite, Nick Moody
OLB: Aaron Lynch, Chase Thomas

Lemonier, Bishop, Thomas and Moody could very well end up cut by the end of training camp, and I am operating under the assumption that Wilhoite is re-signed given his exclusive rights status. And of course, we don't know what the status of Willis and Bowman will be come late July.

Thoughts on how things stand with the expectation that the 3-4 will once again be in place in 2015?