49ers 2020 predictions: Team MVP, most improved and more

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Solomon Thomas, San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

Prove-It Year Player for 49ers

The 49ers have an extensive list of players set for free agency after the 2020 season. Which means they have several players who need to prove their worth for new contracts.

Many of the pending free agents — like Richard Sherman, cornerback K’Waun Williams and defensive lineman Ronald Blair — have shown their worth, and so their new contracts will be based on whether the team can make the terms work.

Other players will have to show up a lot in 2020, but the biggest name of the lot is former No. 3 overall NFL Draft pick, Solomon Thomas. The former Stanford defensive end has already seen the team not pick up his fifth-year option, and so his play during this upcoming season will impact not only if the 49ers will bring him back, but possibly his NFL future.

Thomas has faced adversity during his tenure in San Francisco, including the suicide of his younger sister, not to mention being shuffled from position to position along the defensive line during his first two seasons before settling in as an interior pass-rusher and solid run defender.

But more was expected of him given his draft pedigree, and to be frank, Thomas’ six career sacks to go along with just 16 tackles for loss and 23 quarterback hits just isn’t good enough.

He can extend his NFL career and even his time as a 49er if he puts up a good showing in 2020, but it’s going to take a lot on his part, otherwise, he’ll be allowed to pursue the open market as part of the 2021 free-agent class.