Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 NFL Draft Rookies Who Will Start Right Away in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) runs with the ball during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) runs with the ball during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Players on the Fringe of Starting

While there are a number of players in line to start right away for San Francisco, a number of rookies could earn starting jobs if they wind up impressing enough during training camp and the preseason.

Here are a few who could wind up turning heads and emerging as starting options in Week 1:

KD Cannon, Wide Receiver, Baylor

The 49ers managed to pick up former Baylor wideout KD Cannon as an undrafted free agent.

Cannon, at 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds, has excellent speed. He ran a 4.41 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his route-running abilities are pretty solid for a player selected so late.

He’ll have to beat out someone like Marquise Goodwin on the outside. But Cannon surely has a lot of upside and could wind up surprising a few scouts this offseason.

Pita Taumoepenu, EDGE, Utah

San Francisco largely avoided adding a dynamic pass-rusher via the draft. But the team elected to bring aboard Utah edge rusher Pita Taumoepenu in Round 6 at No. 202 overall.

Taumoepenu is raw and needs plenty of work. But his 6-foot-1, 243-pound frame is built to add a bit more muscle, making him a decent possibility to step in as the Niners’ LEO pass-rusher in base 4-3 defenses.

As of now, the 49ers have linebacker Aaron Lynch (1.5 sacks last year) penciled in at this spot.

Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) works out prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) works out prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

D.J. Jones, Nose Tackle, Mississippi

Earl Mitchell is slated to be San Francisco’s starting nose tackle this season. And that’s fine. He’s solid against the run, which is exactly what the 49ers defense needs.

But Mississippi’s D.J. Jones might wind up having an incredible ceiling. He fits the mold of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s 4-3 nose (6-foot-1, 319 pounds) — short, stocky and built like a tree stump.

And Jones is adept at stopping the run, making him a dark-horse candidate to overtake Mitchell at some point soon.

Joe Williams, Running Back, Utah

San Francisco has Carlos Hyde slated to be the No. 1 running back in 2017.

But Hyde has been marred by injuries and inconsistency ever since taking over the starting duties in 2015. And the 49ers have made some overtures about moving on from him at some point sooner than later.

Utah tailback Joe Williams could wind up being the guy to force Hyde out of the starter’s picture. Williams is exceptionally fast and a good fit within an outside-zone scheme.

Hyde will likely be the Week 1 starter. But it’s not a safe bet to say he’ll remain No. 1 throughout the upcoming year.