49ers: 10 players who should see more playing time for rest of 2018

San Francisco 49ers: 10 players who should see more playing time over the rest of 2017

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers smiles after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

5 of 11

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 25: End Pita Taumoepenu #50 of the Utah Utes tackles tail back Javorius Allen #37 of the USC Trojans during their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images ) /

No. 7: EDGE Pita Taumoepenu

One of the areas the 49ers elected not to address early in the 2017 NFL Draft was to grab an elite-level pass-rushing prospect. Such need wasn’t taken on until general manager John Lynch selected former Utah pass-rusher Pita Taumoepenu in Round 6.

Taumoepenu is raw and still needs plenty of development before he turns into even an average pass-rusher.

But with the Niners struggling to get pressure off the edge, especially with Arik Armstead (hand) on injured reserve and Aaron Lynch (calf) inactive the last two weeks, it might be worth a shot to give Taumoepenu a larger role in passing situations.

Taumoepenu has been inactive in six of the 49ers’ eight games this season. Giving him some in-game reps would, at worst, help determine if he’s making progress in his development. At best, the 49ers would have a youthful pass-rushing option moving forward.