"Arik's going to do a lot of things for us this year," 49ers defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area in June. "I think he's more comfortable this year than last year. We tried him at a few spots last year, and I think he's really starting to feel comfortable at that big end spot and inside pass-rusher on pass downs. I think he has more of a defined role."