Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting the 49ers’ 2018 starting lineup after opening wave of NFL free agency

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/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) /

Defensive Line

3-Technique: DeForest Buckner

5-Technique (Big End): Solomon Thomas

1-Technique: Earl Mitchell

Right End (LEO): Hercules Mata’afa

Having solved their cornerback needs, a quality edge rusher now becomes arguably the top need the 49ers have heading into the 2018 season.

The free-agent market was pretty thin, and top pass-rushers Ezekiel Ansah and Demarcus Lawrence both received franchise tags from the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, respectively. And while the Niners are reportedly signing former Los Angeles Chargers EDGE Jeremiah Attaochu to a one-year deal, he’ll likely be nothing more than a situational pass-rusher at best.

So, that means the draft.

Washington State’s Hercules Mata’afa is still the choice here, and our previous piece broke down why he’d be a solid fit in coordinator Robert Saleh’s defensive scheme at the LEO spot. At 6-foot-2 and 252 pounds, he’s the ideal size for Saleh’s LEO, which typically range on the shorter side of things. It’s more about speed here than brute strength (although Mata’afa has that too).

Mata’afa’s stock could be on the rise, though, and he might not slip to the Niners’ second draft pick, currently coming at the end of Round 2.