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49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Defensive end Solomon Thomas

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the field before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the field before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Solomon Thomas of Stanford poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (from Bears) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 27: (L-R) Solomon Thomas of Stanford poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the San Francisco 49ers (from Bears) during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Solomon Thomas is the latest focus of Niner Noise’s 2018 “Who Is?” series. Can he rebound from a lackluster rookie campaign a year ago and live up to his first-round draft potential?

It’s safe to say San Francisco 49ers defensive end Solomon Thomas didn’t quite live up to the lofty accolade of being selected No. 3 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft his rookie season.

The former Stanford product certainly wasn’t the Niners’ best rookie last year, perhaps not even in the best five. Fellow first rounder, linebacker Reuben Foster, made a much more substantial impact. So did then-rookie tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Trent Taylor. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon too.

Starting 12 games last year, Thomas managed 34 tackles and just three sacks — far from the kind of numbers one would envision for a top-five first-year edge defender.

Solomon Thomas Defense & Fumbles Table
Game Game Fumb Fumb Fumb Fumb Sack Sack Sack
Year Age Tm Pos No. G GS FF Fmb FR Yds Sk Tkl Ast AV
2017 22 SFO DE/dl 94 14 12 0 0 1 0 3.0 34 7 6
Care Care 14 12 0 0 1 0 3.0 34 7 6

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/5/2018.

While Thomas flashed some moments of true potential, Pro Football Focus still awarded him with a 53.2 overall grade in 2017 — ninth worst among all first-round rookies that year.

Needless to say, this year will be crucial for Thomas if he wants to forever shake the “bust” moniker moving forward.

Thankfully, there are plenty of reasons to assume Thomas can do just that. A full year’s experience at the pro level can do wonders. And this can be made even better if the 49ers elect to put Thomas’ strengths where they’re going to be used best.

Here’s how.