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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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Jul 15, 2016; Hollywood, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive end Solomon Thomas 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 during Pac-12 media day at Hollywood & Highland. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Solomon Thomas Scouting Reports & Fit

The whole tweener thing does cause a bit of a concern. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein broke this down and suggested Solomon Thomas could wind up being a traditional defensive end on early downs, switching to the interior on passing plays.

Zierlein’s final analysis included this:

"Has the hands and feet to be a quick-win specialist and the size to fit as a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive end who can reduce inside for pass-rush downs. He has all the athletic traits to become a high-impact player and possesses more than enough skill and talent to believe he will continue to elevate his game as a pro. Thomas has the potential to become the best defender from this draft class and a future all-pro."

Interestingly enough, Zierlein compares Thomas to former 49ers defensive lineman Justin Smith.

Now that isn’t too shabby, isn’t it.

If the 49ers wind up bringing Thomas aboard, they’ll likely have a decision to make regarding fellow lineman Arik Armstead.

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Armstead’s run defense wasn’t good last year, although he was hampered by a shoulder problem that eventually ended his season prematurely. And yet Thomas, by all accounts, is a sizable upgrade over Armstead.

It is also possible the Niners slate Thomas as more of an edge rusher in specific passing situations, leaving Armstead on the field and allowing Thomas to assume the role of the “LEO” linebacker — a move that might make use of his size.

Next: Risers, Fallers & Final NFL Scouting Combine Takeaways

Whatever the case, the 49ers could do much, much worse with their first pick in the NFL Draft than selecting Thomas to bulk up the defensive line and replicate the days when Smith was imposing his will.