49ers to continue with 3-4 defensive scheme in 2015

While there's new leadership in place in San Francisco, the 49ers won't be changing much on the defensive side of the ball heading into next season.

The 49ers will continue to operate with a 3-4 base defensive scheme, new head coach Jim Tomsula told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday. 

"Our personnel is set for that and we'll continue that way," Tomsula said.

Opting to stick with the same defensive system doesn't come as much of a surprise given the unit's recent success. It could, however, affect the team's depth chart, especially at inside linebacker.

Though transitioning to a 4-3 could have made room for all three players in the starting lineup, Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Chris Borland will now each be vying for one of two starting spots.

San Francisco could conceivably choose to move one of the three in a trade, but such a deal would likely come later in the offseason, if at all. Either way, the 49ers will continue to have a surplus of talent in the defensive front seven, and the unit should remain among the league's most productive as a result.