The second sixth-round selection for John Lynch comes just four picks after the most-recent selection of Ole Miss defensive tackle D.J. Jones. Pita Taumoepenu is a 6-foot-1, 243-pound defensive end out of Utah.

The 49ers have a clear need to find a starting-caliber LEO in their new transition to a 4-3 Seahawks-like scheme. Taumoepenu will likely be consider for both the LEO sub-package rushing position as well as the SAM linebacker position.

He lacks true size to be an every-down run defender from the jump but could develop into a double-digit sack player. Pita excelled at Utah as a pass-rush specialist, tallying nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss as a senior in 2016.

Taumoepenu was a combine top performer in the 3-cone drill with a time of 6.91 seconds. The drill assesses the lateral agility and change-of-direction skills, a crucial aspect for any player rushing the passer. New defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will have to identify a legitimate edge rusher and Taumoepenu is worth watching in competition. 

Late-round picks are saved for productive athletes that offer enough potential to secure a spot in training camp. Taumoepenu joins the 49ers at a perfect time as the team lacks any true consistent pass rusher. He succeeded in college by being a better athlete than those across the line of scrimmage and will have to learn some sort of counter moves to simply speed around the edge. The 49ers can spend time building a raw athlete into a polished pass-rusher that sees the field on obvious passing downs.

The team has one pick remaining at 229th overall in the seventh round. It’s early to start evaluating the true value of these picks but John Lynch has done a masterful job of working through his first draft weekend as the main decision maker for the organization.