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49ers NFL Draft Prospect Watch: Making the Case for Solomon Thomas at No. 2 Overall

By Peter Panacy

Jul 15, 2016; Hollywood, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive end Solomon Thomas poses during Pac-12 media day at Hollywood & Highland. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2016; Hollywood, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive end Solomon Thomas poses during Pac-12 media day at Hollywood & Highland. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers could stand to use upgrades at nearly every position this NFL Draft. Armed with the No. 2 overall pick, Niner Noise takes a look at Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas.

If Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas wound up going to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 2 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, it would mean the Niners had drafted three-consecutive defensive linemen in Round 1 dating back to 2015.

But it might not be a bad idea.

Thomas would likely be an immediate upgrade over Arik Armstead, San Francisco’s first-round pick from 2015.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

And it’s not too hard to imagine him lining up next to fellow DE DeForest Buckner either.

Drafting Thomas at No. 2 isn’t out of the question either. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah recently mocked Thomas to the 49ers in his latest draft prediction.

Jeremiah wrote, “Thomas has the versatility to play up and down the line of scrimmage, and he seems like a perfect match for what John Lynch is trying to build.”

Additionally, Niner Noise’s latest two-round mock had Thomas going to the Niners as well.

So let’s take a look at whether or not Thomas would be a good idea for San Francisco at No. 2 overall.

And, if selected, we’ll also project the fit and try to identify how he’ll be a significant upgrade for a 49ers defense needing playmakers.