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What Solomon Thomas trade rumor means for 49ers’ NFL Draft plans

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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On the day of the draft, rumors came out that the San Francisco 49ers are shopping former No. 3 overall pick, Solomon Thomas. Niner Noise breaks down how that potential trade could impact the Niners draft plans.

Before we begin, it’s important to know that the week before the NFL Draft is probably the worst week for rumors. There are very few things that you can trust right. So take this latest rumor with a sackful of salt.

That being said, multiple sources have stated that the San Francisco 49ers‘ former No. 3 overall pick, Solomon Thomas, is up on the trade block:

Thomas has had a trying time in the NFL, first by being played out of position and then last year with the death of his sister. That said, the NFL is a business and Thomas’ production has not matched his high draft pedigree.

Trading Thomas is an obvious admission of failure on the part of general manager John Lynch, one a bit early given how the third year is when you typically determine the success of a draft pick. Furthermore, Thomas’ trade value is not anywhere near his draft position, leading the Niners most likely to recoup a fourth-round pick at best.

That’s not great value.

The reason the 49ers would try such a trade is because they know they can replace Thomas with a better player in this year’s NFL Draft, which starts on April 25. This trade essentially solidifies the theory 49ers fans knew from the beginning of this entire process; the pick is either Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams or Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa.

What Solomon Thomas brings to the 49ers

Thomas has been ghastly as an edge rusher, which makes sense given how he isn’t an EDGE. Thomas, at the end of the season, finally got consistent interior reps where he looked average and a little raw, understandable given how he hadn’t played at that position in some two-odd years. Pass rush, right now, is not where Thomas derives his value.

Run defense is his forte. From the edge, Thomas has been able to control the run game quite successfully. And even when he rushes from the interior, Thomas has been able to make plays with relative ease.

So at a minimum, to replace Thomas, Williams or Bosa need to be proficient against the run.

How a Solomon Thomas trade would affect Quinnen Williams

This is a far more obvious fit, simply because Thomas’ best position is Williams’ position, the interior linemen. DeForest Buckner already occupies the 3-technique in the 49ers defense, but Williams and Thomas could slide in right next to him.

Williams is an exceptional run defender. Per the Draft Network, Williams “has All-Pro potential and can be a perennial Pro Bowler if he plays to his potential.”

He has the hands and burst to shoot the gap, even when faced with a double team. The only issue is that, even with a Thomas trade, Williams’ best position is, as I said, occupied.

How a Solomon Thomas trade would affect Nick Bosa

Should the 49ers trade Thomas, it opens up an interior rushing spot which, because Arik Armstead would be the next likely candidate, opens up an EDGE spot, exactly where Bosa could fit in.

In the run game, Pro Football Focus (h/t to Rich Madrid of 49ersWebzone) ranked Bosa at a 14.3-percent run-stop metric, which would have been first in the nation if Bosa had enough qualifying spots.

Essentially, Bosa can come in and fill in the run defense hole Thomas would leave.

Next. San Francisco 49ers: 2019 NFL Draft primer with needs and 7-round mock. dark

This trade rumor only solidifies the two opinions we already had: the 49ers were going to select an defensive linemen and that Thomas has underachieved in the NFL. To see how either Williams or Bosa changes the 49ers draft plan, click here for a Williams mock and here for a Bosa mock.