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The San Francisco 49ers are hoping to get more out of second-year defensive lineman Solomon Thomas this season. His 41 combined tackles and three sacks during his rookie campaign left the Niner Faithful underwhelmed. Bigger things are expected of you when you are the No. 3 overall pick.
The 49ers used Thomas on the edge as a pass rusher for much of last season and it doesn't look like that will change in 2018. Andy Benoit of The MMQB feels that a Thomas and DeForest Buckner on the inside of the defensive front could rival the Los Angeles Rams' potential duo of Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh as the best third-down tandem in the NFL. I say "potential" because, as of this post, Donald continues to hold out.
While many, like Benoit, believe Thomas is better suited on the inside, he will continue to help set things up along the edge while moving inside on passing downs.
Ironically, Buckner, who many believe is better suited inside, is receiving some work along the edge and opposing offenses could see him there in specific packages as the coaching staff works on ways to free him from double teams.
"We're working through it through training camp, seeing how things go, and, hopefully, it's a thing we can do throughout the year," Buckner said after practice on Monday.
As for Thomas, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has faith that his ability as a pass rusher will develop. While defending Thomas' rookie performance, Saleh said he sees the pass rusher job as the second-hardest position for a young player to learn, behind the quarterback.
"By all accounts, his pass-rushing stuff, it was a learning experience for him," Saleh said
during a KNBR interview this week. "There's a big learning curve for those guys, and I felt like he was really good in the run game, did some good things, played with a lot of energy, explosiveness, and all that stuff.
"This year, with him trying to really hone in and get better at that pass rush stuff, you can see it in one-on-ones throughout camp, he's starting to win a little bit more consistently. He's got a genuine plan on attacking edges and maintaining those edges so that way he can get to the quarterback. So even when his first move is stifled, he's able to create a second move to break free and that second move is important because you never know if that quarterback is going to take an extra hitch or two to get the ball off."
Saleh believes that Thomas is built the right way and has a strong desire to get better. That is exactly what 49ers fans want to see as well. The lack of a true Leo pass rusher has forced San Francisco to be creative. The team hopes to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as a group rather than rely on a single player. Thomas will be a significant part of that strategy.
"Every day is another opportunity for him to get better and he attacks it," Saleh said.
You can listen to the entire interview with Saleh below.
Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team revealed his latest mock draft, which goes seven rounds deep and projects every selection for every NFL team. While most predict that the San Francisco 49ers will add an offensive lineman with their first selection, No. 31 overall, Mosher has the Bay Area team going in a different direction.
The writer and analyst has the Niners selecting former UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu in the first round.
"It wouldn't be a shock to see Laiatu Latu fall in the draft due to his medical history, but he is too good of a value to pass up here at No. 31," Mosher wrote. "The San Francisco 49ers have been searching for the right pass
NFL Network host Rhett Lewis released his first mock draft of the year on NFL.com. What does he project the San Francisco 49ers doing with the No. 31 overall pick? Lewis has the team acquiring some edge-rushing help, bolstering a group that already includes Nick Bosa and newly signed Leonard Floyd.
The host has the 49ers selecting former Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson.
According to Sports Reference, Robinson registered 41 tackles, including 17.5 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, three passes defensed, and three forced fumbles in two
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
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
