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San Francisco 49ers: 5 NFL Draft Rookies Who Will Start Right Away in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick defensive lineman Solomon Thomas answers questions from the media during the press conference at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick defensive lineman Solomon Thomas answers questions from the media during the press conference at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Defensive End Solomon Thomas

Again, another no-brainer.

San Francisco’s first pick in the NFL Draft, Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas, shouldn’t have any trouble cracking the starting lineup this season.

Thomas is a pocket-wrecking force, capable of locking up multiple blockers and allowing fellow pass-rushers the opportunity to get to opposing quarterbacks. Pairing him with the Niners’ first-round pick from a year ago, DE DeForest Buckner, should be a sight to see.

The only question here will be how the 49ers arrange their defensive line. San Francisco has now spent three-consecutive first picks on defensive lineman, the first being Arik Armstead back in 2015.

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Out of the three, Armstead may be the one without a true position. The Niners are experimenting with Armstead as the team’s LEO, or primary pass-rusher, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. But this isn’t Armstead’s natural position.

Regardless, Thomas is a much better fit and more adept at stopping the run than his 2015 predecessor.

Next: Biggest 49ers Winners & Losers from the 2017 NFL Draft

As such, Thomas will be on the field for first snaps of the 2017 season.