Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: 5 sleeper picks for the 49ers in the later rounds

By Peter Panacy

PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 21: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by Hercules Mata'afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 21: Phillip Lindsay #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by Hercules Mata'afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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PULLMAN, WA – NOVEMBER 07: Mike Bercovici #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is sacked by Hercules Mata’afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Martin Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Arizona State 38-24. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA – NOVEMBER 07: Mike Bercovici #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils is sacked by Hercules Mata’afa #50 of the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Martin Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Arizona State 38-24. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

No. 1: EDGE Hercules Mata’afa, Washington State

College Statistics

Washington State EDGE Hercules Mata’afa might be seen as something of a tweener, currently listed at 6-foot-2 and 252 pounds.

And there’s plenty of speculation where he’ll be drafted. Some boards list him as high as a Round 2 selection, while others have him falling all the way to Round 6. Diagnosing the exact fit is probably why Mata’afa could fall, as he doesn’t exactly have one pure position within a defensive front.

Yet Fourth and Nine’s Dylan DeSimone tabbed Mata’afa as a favorite target for 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh:

Why, exactly?

Well, this Pro Football Focus scouting report before the 2017 began might help provide some answers:

"Mata’afa was also solid rushing the passer from the outside. His pass-rush productivity grade of 13.9 from the left and 6.0 from the right side of the defensive line ranked him No. 4 and No. 8, respectively. His overall pass-rush productivity grade was a 11.8, No. 4 among draft-eligible DIs."

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San Francisco already has a nice crop of interior pass-rushers — DeForest Buckner and, with development, Solomon Thomas at the left defensive end (the big end, 5-technique). What’s needed is a true edge bender off the other side.

This is where Mata’afa comes in. While he’s not particularly sharp against the run, his ability to diversify his pass-rushing moves and collapse the pocket from the outside make him a worthy target.

Especially if value can be maximized in the later rounds.

Next: 5 prospects the 49ers can target in Round 1 of the NFL Draft

And with the 49ers finishing 26th in the league with 30 sacks last year, it isn’t as if the need doesn’t exist.