The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up the 2017 season and have begun their work to prepare for 2018 free agency and the draft. We’ll be breaking down plenty of what that means, but in the meantime, we wanted to take a look back at the season that was for the 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo captured our imagination, but the 49ers rebuilding process was extensive last year. We are going to take a look at every notable addition and provide a forum for grading how that signing, trade, or draft pick worked out.
Pita Taumoepenu, linebacker
How acquired: Drafted in the sixth round (202nd overall)
The 49ers got a lot of production from their 2017 draft class, but they had two players who got little to no work. We talked about running back Joe Williams the other day, and probably should have included “Incomplete” in the poll. We’re back today to look at the healthy rookie who saw limited time, Pita Taumoepenu.
Pita T got fairly extensive work in the preseason, playing in 104 defensive snaps and 56 special teams snaps. He finished the preseason with six total tackles and 1.5 sacks. He flashed some skills at times, but the raw rookie spent much of the regular season inactive. He was active for two games, plying 28 special teams snaps and zero defensive snaps.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh talked about Taumoepenu at the end of the season, and described him as a guy they want to see at SAM, but also have him cross-trained as a reserve LEO. Saleh thinks a full offseason in the team’s strength and conditioning program will help him mature his body. Saleh thinks he smart enough, fast enough, and has the necessary instincts, but that he needs to get more physical strength to compete in the NFL.
This is a big offseason for all the 2017 rookies, but Taumoepenu in particular. A sixth round pick does not exactly have a lot of leverage year-to-year, so he’s going to have to come in strong and ready when the offseason workout program and then training camp arrive. He’ll be one to watch.
Poll
How do you grade 49ers NFL Draft addition Pita Taumoepenu?
This poll is closed
-
3%
A
-
9%
B
-
34%
C
-
17%
D
-
3%
F
-
32%
Incomplete