The NFL Draft is winding down and the 49ers just turned in selection cards on two players in the sixth round.
Ole Miss defensive tackle D.J. Jones was taken at No. 198 and Utah edge rusher Pita Taumoepenu was taken with pick No. 202.
Jones started all 12 games for the Rebels as a senior, producing 30 tackles and two sacks. He’s not a dynamic game-changer at 6-foot-1, 319 pounds, but he does clog the middle and eat up blockers as a nose tackle. In a perfect world he would help Solomon Thomas’ growth on the field. Jones was lauded for his his work ethic in the weight room, where his numbers on squatting and benching were among the best at the combine.
John Lynch is going to have to make some hard cuts on the defensive line. Thomas, DeForest Buckner, Earl Mitchell and Arik Armstead are locks. After that you’ve got Ronald Blair, Quinton Dial, Chris Jones, Tank Carradaine and Zach Moore. Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks are listed as linebackers on the roster, even though they were with the defensive lines for drills during voluntary minicamp last Wednesday.
Four picks later, Lynch kept his focus on the front seven and took Pita Taumoepenu from Utah. A pass rushing specialist who registered seven sacks in just four starts for the Utes, Taumoepenu will likely play the LEO position for the 49ers. It was a big area of need and the team didn’t choose to address it until the sixth round.
Taumoepenu has upside, but at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds, the prognosticators wonder if he has the strength to go up against offensive tackles in the NFL. He is a prime candidate for the practice squad, but could find an opening on the 53-man roster if he shines on special teams.
Respectively, here are Jones and Taumoepenu’s strengths and weaknesses from NFL.com
STRENGTHS
Has a big bubble and plays with a wide base. Outrageous weight room strength with monster numbers in clean, bench, and squat. Plays low and fires upward strikes to elevate the blocker’s center of gravity. Has the play strength to rip through an edge once he gets to it. Has quick hands and is nice with the swim move. Has necessary play traits to be an effective rusher in the twist game. Rare reactive athleticism and short-area lateral quickness for an interior player. Extended tackle radius allows him to close out running lanes away from his gap. Keeps hounding runners down the field for the tackle. Instinctive and quickly sniffs out screen passes. Very rarely on ground.
WEAKNESSES
Has a stocky frame with short arms and lacks the length teams like. Lack of size could be an issue against NFL double teams. Motor gets him too juiced at times. Needs to gather himself to prevent running past his target. Was unable to overpower strong guards in man-to-man contest. Productivity fell way off over the second half of the season. Despite his impressive athleticism, lacked impact tackle production.
STRENGTHS
Quick-twitch athlete with light, bouncing feet. Able to stick his foot in the ground and redirect quickly to mirror change of direction from running backs and quarterbacks. Always looks to crash down inside and catch ball-carrier before he hits the hole. Plays with terrific urgency and a motor that is always humming. Relentless in his pursuit with a good closing burst to the ball no matter where he is on the field. Good explosiveness out of his stance and into his rush. If he times-up snap, can race up the field and beat a tackle around the edge. Uses a well-timed inside counter when he senses his opponent has set far enough up the field. Second-effort sack man. Has attributes to potentially shine on special teams.
WEAKNESSES
Undersized for the edge. Lacks upper body power and overall play strength to set a strong edge and will get caught inside losing contain responsibilities at time. When tackles clamp into his frame, he is unlikely to unhinge in a timely fashion. Has no chance of channeling speed-to-power as a pass rusher. Pass rush plan is lacking. Face-up rushing style will require cleaner hand usage to create some openings. Ducks head into contact as a tackler and allows too many broken tackles. Carries very little thud behind his pads as a tackler and is forced into wrap and drag finishing. Has just seven career starts.
