Niner Noise
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49ers roster cuts: 5 biggest surprises to make the 2017 team

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Keith Reaser #27 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Keith Reaser #27 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 28: Pita Taumoepenu #50 of the Utah Utes tackles quarterback Richard Lagow #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the Foster Farms Bowl game at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 28: Pita Taumoepenu #50 of the Utah Utes tackles quarterback Richard Lagow #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the Foster Farms Bowl game at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 2: EDGE Pita Taumoepenu

Another player I initially thought would be ticketed for the practice squad was edge rusher Pita Taumoepenu.

The former Utah pass-rusher, taken by the Niners in Round 6 of this year’s draft, seemed a bit too raw to push into a regular role on San Francisco’s defense. While the 6-foot-1, 243-pound Taumoepenu offers plenty of upside, there would be no way he’d surpass more experienced EDGE players, like Arik Armstead, Elvis Dumervil or Aaron Lynch.

Still, pass-rushers are a must-have commodity. And either the 49ers felt Taumoepenu was good enough to rotate in on defense or wouldn’t clear waivers en route to the practice squad.

Like offensive tackle John Theus, Taumoepenu might be on the fringes of San Francisco’s roster.

Considering the depth along the defensive line and off the edge, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the rookie a regular member of the 49ers’ game-day inactives.

For now, though, good for Taumoepenu to make the cut.