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ย Coming out of Utah, Taumoepenu was ranked as the 28th best outside linebacker prospect by CBS Sports. On October 4, 2016, it was announced Taumoepenu had received an invitation to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. On January 21, 2017, Taumoepenu attended the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and recorded four solo tackles and one sack as a part of Jim Zorn's American team who lost 27โ7 to Mike Martz's National. He was one of eight Utah players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed the majority of combine drills and finished second amongst all the defensive lineman in the 40-yard dash and the three-cone drill, only behind Kansas State's Jordan Willis, and finished sixth in the short shuttle. On March 23, 2017, Taumoepenu attended Utah's pro day and performed the majority of combine drills. He attended a private meeting with Pittsburgh Steelers. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Taumoepenu was projected to be a seventh round pick or priority undrafted free agent. He was ranked the 29th best outside linebacker prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.
The San Francisco 49ers selected Taumoepenu in the sixth round (202nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. The 49ers previously acquired the pick used to select Taumoepenu in a trade with the Denver Broncos in a trade that sent Vernon Davis to the Denver Broncos. On May 4, 2017, the 49ers signed him to a four-year, $2.54 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $145,444.
Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot against Brock Coyle, Eli Harold, Ray-Ray Armstrong, Dekoda Watson, and Jimmie Gilbert. Head coach Kyle Shanahan named him the third strongside linebacker to begin the season, behind Eli Harold and Dekoda Watson.
On September 1, 2018, Taumoepenu was waived by the 49ers and was signed to the practice squad the next day. On December 5, 2018, Taumoepenu was promoted to the active roster.
