Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Analyzing the 2018 rookie NFL Draft class one year later

By Jeremy Wohlfart

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass and runs for a first down against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass and runs for a first down against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Kyle Postma #3 of the Houston Cougars runs the ball against Jullian Taylor #94 of the Temple Owls in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 30, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Houston Cougars defeated the Temple Owls 20-13. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Kyle Postma #3 of the Houston Cougars runs the ball against Jullian Taylor #94 of the Temple Owls in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 30, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Houston Cougars defeated the Temple Owls 20-13. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

No. 8: Jullian Taylor, EDGE

2018 ranking prediction:  6th

What I said:

"There’s always room for defensive linemen on a roster, and Taylor has the ability to make the 53 man roster as a backup. Additionally, it’s unclear if Sheldon Day and Earl Mitchell are going to be displaced as the candidates to partner DeForest Buckner as the starters in the interior, but Taylor at least has a chance to put his name down with an impressive preseason."

2018 production:

I was probably a bit too overenthusiastic on defensive end Jullian Taylor, who had attracted interest because of an incredible pro day at Temple. Taylor also wouldn’t be at defensive tackle, which was his position at Temple, being converted to the EDGE.

Taylor did impress in camp, but it wasn’t converted over to the regular season, as he was buried on the depth chart for the most part.

That being said, however, Taylor did get snaps on the defensive line during the season. He appeared in six games and would record seven tackles and a quarterback hit.

A small sample size, but enough to raise an eyebrow and consider him a chance to be in the rotation for 2019.

2019 status:

Taylor, like Street before him, will find it a lot more difficult to stay on the roster now that Ford and Bosa are on the team.

However, similar to Street, Taylor does have the ability to be featured in the rotations. Certainly he does have the raw ability to stay on the roster.