San Francisco 49ers: 5 Dark-Horse Candidates to Start in 2017

Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (18) rushes with the football against Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) during the third quarter at Levis Stadium Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 10, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Utah Utes defensive end Pita Taumoepenu (50) celebrates a sack against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Sun Devil Stadium. The Utes won 49-26. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Pita Taumoepenu

It’s a huge long shot for a sixth-round rookie to immediately become a team’s starting edge rusher, but Pita Taumoepenu has at least a smidgen of hope.

The former Utah pass rusher has a lot to work on, he is undersized for the position at 6’1″ and 243 pounds, has no discernible pass-rush plan and struggles to turn speed into power.

He does, however, display tremendous explosion off the snap and a tireless motor, as well as the ability to win with a spin move.

If Taumoepenu demonstrates substantial progress in the offseason, then there is the slight possibility he could crack the starting lineup given his athletic upside.

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But that is dependent on Aaron Lynch — the 49ers’ presumptive starting LEO pass rusher — having a poor offseason and the likelihood is that Taumoepenu will at first make his money on special teams and as a situational rusher.