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San Francisco 49ers: Looking back on the 2017 NFL Draft trade for Solomon Thomas

By Akshaj Dwivedula

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) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 30: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The 111th Overall pick (2017)

This fourth-round pick was used specifically for one trade: linebacker Reuben Foster. The 49ers moved up three spots from their second-round pick, 34th overall to 31st overall to select Foster.

Foster showed tremendous potential, having a 90.7 PFF grade in 2017. However, injuries had limited his time on the field, and questionable behavior off the field finally took its toll.

The 49ers released Foster right before the Week 12 game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence the night before — his third arrest this year, which led to Lynch and Co.’s decision to cut ties, as described below:

With Foster no longer on the team, this pick must been seen as a waste.