49ers 7-round mock NFL Draft with Super Bowl 56 in the books
By Peter Panacy
EDGE. Sooners . Isaiah Thomas. 171. player. 815.
Round 5, Pick No. 171 Overall: EDGE Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma
San Francisco already has one of the NFL’s best pass-rushers in Nick Bosa. The depth behind him, though, is questionable at best, and Super Bowl LVI revealed just why having an elite tandem (or even trio) of pass-rushers can be the difference between a Lombardi Trophy or an early playoff exit.
Fellow 49ers pass-rushers like Arden Key and Jordan Willis are pending free agents, while EDGE Dee Ford is likely to be a cap casualty in light of his serious injury situation.
That leaves only EDGE Samson Ebukam as the next likeliest defender to field alongside Bosa.
Getting more complementary pass-rushers would be smart, and Oklahoma defensive end Isaiah Thomas might be one of those next hidden-gem talents the Niners could target on day three of the NFL Draft.
Thomas, 6-foot-5 and 266 pounds, managed 14.5 sacks over the last two seasons with the Sooners. And while his technique still needs a lot of refinement, and there are issues with him finishing plays, there’s no doubting the raw talent is there.
If he’s available towards the end of Round 5, it’d be an easy selection.