The San Francisco 49ers may have declined to pick up the fifth-year option of defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, but that doesn't mean he isn't expected to be a significant contributor this season. The defender was in on 236 snaps from various outside positions last season compared to 243 lined up along the interior, according to Pro Football Focus.
Thomas is expected to help the defensive line offset the loss of Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was traded in March to the Indianapolis Colts. That could help take at least some of the pressure off rookie Javon Kinlaw, who was drafted to replace Buckner.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Thomas is prepared to fill in for the loss. That could mean more snaps along the interior of the defensive line, a position many felt was a more natural fit for Thomas from the start.
Solomon Thomas, whose fifth-year option was declined by 49ers, is prepared to help the interior defensive line with the loss of DeForest Buckner. Perhaps the contract year is a springboard for him.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 4, 2020
General manager John Lynch said last week that Thomas is expected to report to the team a bit heftier than last year.
"We've kind of charged him with putting a little weight on," Lynch added. "Last year, he got really light, which helped in his quickness, but I don't know if he had enough substance, just in terms of weight. So, he's going to come back a little heavier."
Even though Kinlaw was drafted to fill that Buckner role, Lynch and the 49ers expect Thomas to be a significant part of the defensive rotation.
"We brought in Kinlaw, but everybody who's watched us knows we rotate a lot of players there," Lynch added. "We believe in going as hard as they can, and then we'll rotate, kind of like hockey lines. Solomon's going to be a big part of that rotation."
Thomas was the first player drafted during Lynch's and head coach Kyle Shanahan's regime. The two made the defensive lineman the No. 3 overall pick in 2017.
Thomas recorded a career-low 21 tackles and just two sacks through 16 games and three starts last year. He also added four tackles and a sack during the playoffs.