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East-West Shrine Game: 5 NFL Draft Prospects the 49ers Should Watch

By Peter Panacy

Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) leaps over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Marquez White (27) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back De'Veon Smith (4) leaps over Florida State Seminoles defensive back Marquez White (27) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes defensive end Hunter Dimick (49) and teammates celebrate a 24-17 victory over the Michigan Wolverines at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes defensive end Hunter Dimick (49) and teammates celebrate a 24-17 victory over the Michigan Wolverines at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

EDGE Hunter Dimick, Utah

Collegiate Statistics

San Francisco is in desperate need of pass-rushers heading into this offseason. And while many are hoping for the 49ers to land a talent like Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett, an edge rusher like Utah’s Hunter Dimick might be a nice fallback option.

Dimick posted 13.5 sacks in 2016, combined with 19.5 tackles for a loss — numbers that would certainly boost an anemic Niners pass rush in 2017.

While the 6-foot-3, 272-pound Dimick might be a bit slow on the field — limiting his ability to converge on elusive quarterbacks and running backs — he does have an uncanny ability to use his smarts to get to the ball-carrier.

A total of 39 solo tackles in 2016 backs this up.

Dimick did suffer an injury during practice leading up to the East-West Shrine game, but it’s probably going to be something to monitor rather than a major concern.