With the 18th pick in the sixth round (202 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers have selected Utah outside linebacker Pita Taumoepenu.
In seven games as a freshman, Taumoepenu made six tackles, two for loss, and had a sack on defense and special teams. Over the next three years, he was used as a pass-rushing specialist. In 2014, he had 17 tackles and 5.5 sacks. The next year, he had nine tackles and six sacks. As a senior, he had 49 tackles, 12 for a loss, and nine sacks through 13 games – including a three-sack performance against Arizona State.
NFL.com projected that Taumoepenu would be selected in round 7 of the NFL Draft.
"Pass rush specialist with limited exposure to the game who has posted consistent sack and pressure production throughout his career thanks to his athleticism and motor. He's undersized and lacks the strength to factor in as an every-down 3-4 OLB option, but he does have a chance to become a backup rush linebacker and might even warrant consideration as a 4-3 WILL who can step into a special teams role quickly."
"Taumoepenu is an intense pass rusher who made a lot of plays up the field, consistently disrupting the action on the college level. He must stand out on special teams this summer but offers possibilities as a third-down specialist at the next level."
Measurables
Height: 6-1
Weight: 243 lbs.
Arm length: 32 3/8 inches
Hand length: 9 7/8 inches
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