Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Grading the 2017 NFL Draft class after one full year

By Peter Panacy

Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Solomon Thomas of Stanford with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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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 )
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 ) /

. EDGE. Utah. PITA TAUMOEPENU. C-

The 49ers are still hurting for a true pass rush from the edge, even after selecting former Utah EDGE Pita Taumoepenu in Round 6.

Taumoepenu appeared on the Niners roster just twice this season, inactive for the remaining 14 games, and never saw a snap in the process.

That knocks Taumoepenu’s grade down a bit. But considering he was seen as a raw prospect needing development, it’s hard to call this selection a complete failure.

Especially when considering players taken in Round 5 or later rarely crack starting lineups, even immediate depth.