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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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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) /

Why Solomon Thomas Improves in 2018

Thankfully, PFF also listed Solomon Thomas as one of 10 second-year players capable of going through a bounce back this upcoming season, writing:

"San Francisco 49ers Niner Noise 1d - 2023 NFL Draft: EDGE Byron Young could be impact player for 49ers More headlines around FanSided: 1d - 5 low-key NFL Draft options for 49ers who are flying under the radar 1d - Updated 49ers salary cap space ahead of 2023 NFL Draft 2d - Deebo Samuel fully admits his hatred of LA Rams 2d - 2023 mock NFL Draft 3.0: Final 11th-hour edition (with trades) 2d - Trey Lance rumors: 49ers likely didn't have trade market for QB More News at Niner Noise The 49ers had a bit of a log-jam along the defensive line when they selected him in the first round and to alleviate that, they decided to play Thomas on the edge – lining him up outside of the offensive tackle – after he spent virtually all of 2015 and 2016 lining up as an interior defender for Stanford. Despite the position change, 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)."

That breakdown is notable, as the 49ers did move Thomas all over the defensive front a year ago.

But it was pretty apparent Thomas’ best strengths were on the inside, not rushing from a LEO edge role like he was asked to do quite a bit in 2017.

“I’m very confident in myself,” Thomas told The 49ers Insider Podcast with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. “I’m very confident I’ll become the player, the reason I was drafted No. 3 in the draft. I feel like that’s coming for me, and I’m working my butt off for it, and I’m putting all my effort into that. That’s my main focus right now. That, and helping out others.”

A proper mindset is key, but so is the correct positioning. Instead of rushing off the edge, Thomas should see more time at the left side of the defensive line where his skill set is better utilized.

And that could lead to a massive turnaround.