Niner Noise
FanSided

5 49ers players with a lot to prove in 2019 regular season

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Rashod Hill #69 of the Minnesota Vikings blocks Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Rashod Hill #69 of the Minnesota Vikings blocks Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up 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 warms up 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. 1: Defensive End Solomon Thomas

C.J. Beathard might have a bit of an excuse, considering San Francisco reached to grab him in the draft and he was shoved into a starting role too soon his rookie year, then unexpectedly last season.

Yet the 49ers’ top selection from the 2017 NFL Draft, defensive end Solomon Thomas, doesn’t have as many excuses.

True, the Niners misused Thomas for roughly three-quarters of his first two years in the NFL, playing him as an edge rusher instead of on the interior, where he experienced his collegiate success at Stanford.

That said, his 64.0 Pro Football Focus grade from last year stands in stark contrast to what the 49ers would have ideally liked to see from a No. 3 overall draft pick.

San Francisco’s trade for Dee Ford helps solve one of the edge-rushing needs, ensuring Thomas stays inside on pass-rushing downs. But if the Niners add yet another defensive lineman, either on the edge or along the interior, Thomas could easily be the odd man out.

Even if his primary competition will be with fellow defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who has only 2019 left on his rookie deal.

dark. Next. 49ers' 3 biggest losers from 2019 free-agent signings

Another sub-par year from Thomas is likely going to be enough to convince the Niners Thomas will probably never be anything more than an OK player, which isn’t what the team needs as it continues to reinforce its defensive line.