49ers roster: Stock up, stock down on 2021 NFL Draft class

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Ambry Thomas #20 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

Stock Even. . Cornerback. San Francisco 49ers. AMBRY THOMAS

49ers CB Ambry Thomas

Some might think former Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas’ stock should be on the rise, particularly after he played well during the Niners’ exhibition opener and in light of Thomas opting out of his senior year because of the pandemic.

Fair argument there. According to Al Sacco of the 49ers Webzone No Huddle Podcast, citing Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, Thomas could have been a late first- or early second-round pick based on his 2019 game tape.

More according to Sacco, Thomas wasn’t receiving quite as much coaching during the latter stages of training camp, suggesting defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Co. were pleasantly satisfied with where his development was at.

Thomas finished Week 1 of the preseason with five tackles and properly executed a press-man coverage against the Chiefs’ basic offensive formations. Not much to complain about, really, when taking a look at his total snaps during the game.

Based on this argument, Thomas is coming along just fine in his development and is probably right where he needs to be at this point: a solid reserve who’ll hopefully mature into a starting option a year from now.