3 teams who should trade for 49ers Solomon Thomas

No. 1: Detroit Lions

After a discouraging 3-12-1 season in 2019, the Detroit Lions have the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and a total of six picks, one per each of the first six rounds.

Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports reported the Lions are open to entertaining offers for that third pick. That makes sense if they wish to bolster their limited picks this year. If that plays out, they could part ways with their only selection, at the moment, in the sixth round.

Detroit needs to have a backup plan at cornerback if Darius Slay hits free agency, and they also need pass-rushers. These needs can be satisfied in the earlier rounds of the draft, especially if they trade out of the third slot and gain additional picks. But they also have pressing needs on the interior of the defensive line, per PFF:

"[Detroit]  should look to improve their linebacking corps, as well, as Jarrad Davis (40.4 overall grade) and Christian Jones (43.8) both finished the 2019 season with PFF grades among the worst at the position."

To become competitive in the NFC North in 2020, the Lions must thwart the rushing attack from running backs like Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers, Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings and David Montgomery of the Chicago Bears, and Solomon Thomas could be the perfect man for the job.

Here’s what a trade could entail:

Thomas has already faced those dominant backs and proved to be more than capable. He’s also battle-tested against some of the best running backs in the NFC West, like Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams and Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks.

And all it would cost Detroit is a sixth-round pick.

I think the world of Solly. I wish Thomas would’ve had more of an opportunity to flourish in his natural position during his tenure with San Francisco. Wherever he goes, if he goes, his new team will gain a gem of a man and a wall of a run-stopper.