Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Rookie Solomon Thomas earns PFF’s 49ers-Chiefs game ball
Aug 12, 2017 at 12:41 PM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Rookie defensive lineman Solomon Thomas had a solid NFL debut on Friday night in Kansas City against the Chiefs. His performance was so impressive, that he was
Pro Football Focus' highest graded player of the game, which is impressive considering how much attention fellow rookie Reuben Foster was garnering.
Thomas earned the analytics site's game ball with his 88.2 grade and the
Pro Football Focus team had the following to say about him:
"The rookie third overall pick started his NFL career with a bang as he recorded a hit and two hurries on 20 pass-rush snaps while also showing his stout run stopping ability notching two run stops on just seven run snaps. Thomas was able to consistently push the pocket whether rushing from the edge (9 snaps), over the tackle (8 snaps), or the interior (3 snaps)."
Thomas briefly exited Friday's game and had the 49ers medical staff examining his shoulder on the sideline. However, he was able to return to the game and was in on 28 snaps against Kansas City.
Pro Football Focus rated Thomas as the nation's best defender against the run in 2016. The 49ers defense ranked last in the NFL against the run last season – along with a number of other categories. The unit allowed a league-high 165.9 rushing yards per game to opposing offenses and set a franchise record in rushing yards allowed.
Solomon Thomas highlights | Preseason Week 1
As for Foster, the rookie linebacker was among the five highest graded players in the game and top three defensive players (behind Thomas and veteran edge rusher Aaron Lynch) with his 83.8 grade.
Pro Football Focus had the following to say about Foster:
"While veteran edge rusher Aaron Lynch had a bigger impact on fewer snaps recording two sacks and a batted pass, Foster's debut in the NFL was also excellent as he showed his coverage instincts in breaking up a would be touchdown on the opening drive of the game. Allowed a catch on the other pass he was targeted on but made an immediate tackle for just three yards. He fielded a game-high 86.8 coverage grade, topping all defenders at any position in the contest."
Foster was in on 27 snaps and the 49ers defense as a whole held the Chiefs to just 187 total yards of offense. The 49ers beat the Chiefs 27-17.
5 highest-graded 49ers vs. Chiefs
- ED Solomon Thomas, 88.2 overall grade
- WR Kendrick Bourne, 87.1 overall grade
- ED Aaron Lynch, 84.7 overall grade
- HB Matt Breida, 83.8 overall grade
- LB Reuben Foster, 83.8 overall grade
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers address both sides of the ball in Kiper and Yates 3-round mock draft
We're just 10 days away from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft. While many gain more confidence about their projections for the top of the first round, the picture of what might happen further down remains murky. Most predict the San Francisco 49ers will use their first selection, No. 31 overall, on an offensive lineman. However, an early run on the position may alter those plans. The 49ers may address another position, or they may have to move up to secure a top prospect.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates recently revealed a joint three-round mock draft, examining the top 100 selections and forecasting
Where the 49ers landed in PFF's latest power ranking
While it would be foolish to declare that the San Francisco 49ers lack any deficiencies, the team remains one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. That alone is enough to place them high on media power rankings.
The truth is, power rankings mean very little at this stage in the offseason. Yes, free agency has come and gone, but NFL rosters are about to undergo further changes this week, with the 2024 NFL Draft slated for Thursday.
Pro Football Focus' Amelia Probst posted a power ranking based on the analytics site's data on each roster and the offseason roster moves made so far. The San Francisco 49ers came in at No. 2, behind only the Kansas City
PFF high on this cornerback for 49ers in mock draft
Analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic grades former Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa as a second or third-round draft pick and ranks him 55th overall on his big board. Pro Football Focus, however, holds a higher opinion of the young defensive back. In his latest mock draft, the site's lead analyst, Sam Monson, has the San Francisco 49ers selecting Tampa with the No. 31 overall pick.
"T.J. Tampa fits the prototype of a 49ers cornerback," Monson explains. "He has had consecutive seasons of very impressive play and allowed just 240 yards on 49 targets last season. The team doesn't necessarily need him to make an immediate impact, but they could
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
