San Francisco 49ers: Regrading 2017 NFL Draft class

Round 1: 49ers Defensive End Solomon Thomas

There’s no easy way around this, but Solomon Thomas has been a bust since being made the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 draft.

Perhaps the 49ers got tunnel vision here, deciding Thomas would be a prolific edge rusher with good run-stopping abilities. The problem, though, was he was primarily an interior rusher at Stanford, and the Niners played him out of position in year one. And while there were flashes of what made him an early pick in the draft, there was also a general lack of consistency.

In year two, Thomas’ efforts were vastly hindered by the tragic passing of his sister. Yet his third year at the pro level saw him relegated to a backup, thanks largely to the 49ers bringing aboard then-rookie EDGE Nick Bosa with the second overall pick in 2019.

Over his first three years, Thomas has a mere six sacks to his name, which is far, far short from what one would expect from a top-five pick at this position.

Thomas’ role as a decent rotational player keeps this grade from being a complete failure. But it’s safe to say it wasn’t very good.

Especially considering San Francisco, and plenty of other teams for that matter, passed up the opportunity to draft quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who went at No. 10 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.