Niner Noise
FanSided

10 reasons the San Francisco 49ers win the NFC West in 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Quarterback Tyler Bray #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes as defensive end Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers defends during the preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Quarterback Tyler Bray #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes as defensive end Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers defends during the preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

No. 8: Defensive End Solomon Thomas Takes a Huge Leap in 2018

Simply stated, defensive end Solomon Thomas‘ rookie season was a disappointment.

The No. 3 overall pick from the 2017 NFL Draft had some moments last season. But he also finished with a 53.2 overall grade last year, per Pro Football Focus. Needless to say, that’s awfully low for a first-round draftee and almost painful for a top-five selection.

In fairness to Thomas, the 49ers moved him all over the formation even though his best attributes were being shown on the inside.

A year’s worth of development could help turn Thomas into a legitimate force. It’s likely the Niners have him back on the outside in base downs, moving him to the inside in sub formations where his interior pass-rushing abilities will be put to better use.

On top of that, PFF even ranked Thomas as one of 10 players capable of having a nice bounce-back year this season:

"Thomas still flashed some above-average play in run-defense (his 79.3 run-defense grade ranked 45th) and he closed out the season on a relative high note, finishing two of his final three games with an overall grade of at least 70.0 (a number he passed just five times all season). With another year in his new position, it would be shocking if he doesn’t take a big step forward in Year 2."

If this happens, one of the major beneficiaries will be the next player reason on this list.