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5 49ers who will have major impact in Week 3 vs. Steelers

By Josh Altorfer

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Kendall Hunter #32 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to put a move on Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steeler at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 20-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - DECEMBER 19: Kendall Hunter #32 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to put a move on Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steeler at Candlestick Park on December 19, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 20-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/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. 5: DE Solomon Thomas

Defensive end Solomon Thomas has had a roller-coaster start to his career with the 49ers. There have been amazing flashes of limitless potential mixed in with head-scratching mistakes.

The inconsistency has yet to show up thus far in 2019. He has been mostly solid coming in on passing situations and getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Thomas was able to put pressure on Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton on two dropbacks and also recorded one sack.

The reason he is in for a possible impactful day is because of the Steelers philosophy of neutralizing the opposing team’s best players. Pittsburgh will use extra blockers to make sure Nick Bosa and fellow EDGE Dee Ford can’t get to Mason Rudolph on every dropback.

This will open up one-on-one matchups with Thomas, leaving only one Steelers offensive lineman between Solomon and Rudolph.

If Thomas can take advantage of being underestimated, he can have a huge impact on the outcome of this game. Young quarterbacks like Rudolph are prone to turning the ball over when they are under pressure.

Thomas is in line to deliver that pressure.