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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting each rookie’s role, impact after 2017 NFL Draft

By James LeBreton

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Solomon Thomas (Stanford) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels beat Texas A&M Aggies 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels beat Texas A&M Aggies 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 6, Pick 198: D.J. Jones

D.J. Jones is labeled as a short and stout run defender. So it’s easy to see why the 49ers drafted him.

The sixth round pick fits the requirements that Robert Saleh looks for in a defensive lineman. He joins a crowded defensive core, so if he wants to make this squad he needs to shine in more areas than just against the run.

Although, his ace in the hole is that the 49ers only have one true nose tackle in Earl Mitchell. This bodes well for Jones because he’ll be a rotational player up front, he’ll also be next in the rotation if Mitchell can’t play.

Either way, he figures to see significant time in the new look defense. In two seasons alone at Mississippi he totaled 21.5 tackles-for-loss and 12 quarterback sacks. He’s strong with quick hands and is rather athletic for a player his size. Jones strikes the center low and finishes him off with a well-executed swim move.

He’s play tough against the offensive interior, and detects the screen pass as good as anyone. As stated before, it’s a crowded front, but he should be able to stick around and impress.

Prediction: Back up Nose Tackle

Next: Pita Taumoepenu