49ers should move on from these 5 players in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Defensive End Solomon Thomas
2020 Projected Cap Hit: $8,958,213
From a purely financial standpoint, the 49ers would have hoped their top pick from the 2017 NFL Draft, defensive end Solomon Thomas, would have outplayed one of his fellow linemates, Arik Armstead, who’s poised to hit free agency this offseason.
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That way, the Niners could have gotten both younger and cheaper.
Instead, Armstead was the only San Francisco defender to record double-digit sacks on the year, and he’s now primed to earn top dollar either on the open market, the franchise tag or a lucrative re-signing contract with the 49ers.
Thomas, meanwhile, was relegated to backup status and appeared on only 41.2 percent of regular-season defensive snaps in 2019.
It’s pretty clear Thomas will never reach the pedigree associated with top-five draft picks. And with nearly $9 million due in salary this upcoming season, Thomas’ situation is a lot like C.J. Beathard’s — an overpaid backup, who might have to be cleared to make room for other players on the cheap assuming a similar role.
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What could separate Thomas, however, is he probably still has some trade value on the open market. He’s shown the ability to be a good run defender and has some pass-rush knack from the inside of a defensive formation. The 49ers likely wouldn’t get much in return. But considering the team could save a good chunk of that money via trade while freeing up roster space for someone cheaper, it’s something worth exploring.