Niner Noise
FanSided

5 49ers players who should see more playing time vs. Buccaneers

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Defensive end Ronald Blair #98 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Defensive end Ronald Blair #98 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles quarterback Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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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) /

No. 2: Defensive End Solomon Thomas

Wait, second-year defensive end Solomon Thomas is already a starter, isn’t he?

Technically, yes. He’s started eight of the 49ers’ 10 games this season. But he’s appeared on just 54.7 percent of the team’s defensive snaps this year.

That’s not exactly the kind of return for which one would hope out of a top-five NFL Draft pick.

OK, Thomas may never live up to his No. 3 overall draft billing. But that doesn’t change the fact the Niners have a lot invested in the former Stanford product. The problem, however, is Robert Saleh has often played Thomas out of position up to this point, primarily lining him up as a weak-side EDGE instead of putting him at a natural inside pass-rusher spot.

Keep in mind the overcrowding of inside defensive linemen on the 49ers roster. Arik Armstead and Ronald Blair are part of the congestion.

Yet it would be wise for Saleh to give Thomas the lion’s share of those inside snaps, seeing whether or not he can have regular success from that point in order to maximize the return on investment the team made a year ago.

If it works, great. The Niners have their answer. If not, well, it’s probably time to move on sooner than later.