Solomon Thomas--Stanford

4-man front on running downs:

Thomas....Armstead.....Mitchell.....Buckner

4-man front on passing downs:

Lynch/Harold/draft pick.......Armstead.......Thomas/Buckner..........Thomas/Buckner

... With solid dept and rotations... Would also like to add a fat NT to rotate with Mitchell on running downs

Originally posted by jreff22:
The problem I think we face is a depleted list by the 2nd. If all the big name guys go in the first, there isn't anybody of value sitting at 34. So it sounds go to say we need to get one, but the chances a 3rd/4th round pick gives us the boost we need is slim. We have a lot of those guys and we're still looking.

A lot of mocks (granted it's a mock) have all the targets going late 1. If our biggest needs are QB and edge pass rusher and we don't get either cemented this year, it's going to be disappointing.

Really? Those are 2 of the most cornerstone positions in football. Teams can go years without having a franchise player at either position. They're not easy to fill in any offseason let alone a single one.

Originally posted by FL9er:

Originally posted by jreff22:

The problem I think we face is a depleted list by the 2nd. If all the big name guys go in the first, there isn't anybody of value sitting at 34. So it sounds go to say we need to get one, but the chances a 3rd/4th round pick gives us the boost we need is slim. We have a lot of those guys and we're still looking.

A lot of mocks (granted it's a mock) have all the targets going late 1. If our biggest needs are QB and edge pass rusher and we don't get either cemented this year, it's going to be disappointing.

Really? Those are 2 of the most cornerstone positions in football. Teams can go years without having a franchise player at either position. They're not easy to fill in any offseason let alone a single one.

Drafting at 2 and 34 it should be done. Bypassing or missing out on both is going to give us the same problems since forever ago.

Originally posted by tjd808185:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Yes I've said that for pass rusher and safety...don't exaggerate How do we have one pick in each round when we have 10 picks

Didn't say it about receiver?, rb in the 3rd like Hunt I know you've said that, corner, do you want Pederman that's an early 3rd. You just can't hit every need.

I'm pointing out WR/RB in the mid rds that are pretty good, not saying they're the same quality as some of the 1st rd prospects...that's a little different. Would you not a agree that this draft is deep at RB and DB? Who are the comparable interior DEs that offer the pass rusher and run stopping abilities as Thomas?

No one said you are gonna hit every need, I sure as hell never said that. I'm promoting getting the 2nd best player in the draft period... we suck right now especially at rushing the passer and stopping the run, if you disagree on that then we don't need to discuss anything further. Thomas can do both.

you still didn't answer my question how do we have 1 pick in every rd when we have 10 picks? No way we can't trade up and down this draft to get quality players IMO

Originally posted by jreff22:
Drafting at 2 and 34 it should be done. Bypassing or missing out on both is going to give us the same problems since forever ago.

you act like there are cornstone QBs and edge rushers in every draft which just isn't true. Teams that fail are the ones that overvalue positions like QB in the draft. IF there isn't a FQB there then don't draft one in the top rounds.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

you act like there are cornstone QBs and edge rushers in every draft which just isn't true. Teams that fail are the ones that overvalue positions like QB in the draft. IF there isn't a FQB there then don't draft one in the top rounds.

EJ Manuel says hi

Originally posted by NYniner85:
I'm pointing out WR/RB in the mid rds that are pretty good, not saying they're the same quality as some of the 1st rd prospects...that's a little different. Would you not a agree that this draft is deep at RB and DB? Who are the comparable interior DEs that offer the pass rusher and run stopping abilities as Thomas?

No one said you are gonna hit every need, I sure as hell never said that. I'm promoting getting the 2nd best player in the draft period... we suck right now especially at rushing the passer and stopping the run, if you disagree on that then we don't need to discuss anything further. Thomas can do both.

you still didn't answer my question how do we have 1 pick in every rd when we have 10 picks? No way we can't trade up and down this draft to get quality players IMO

We have 2 4ths, 2 5ths, 2 6ths. Those kind of picks don't carry that much trade value. We're not Clv and loaded with early picks. Reallistically 1 of those 6 players may amount to someone. 2 if we're lucky. RB is a position you can always wait on, it's a good secondary class but that doesn't guarantee you a player. I've seen a 1st round receiver class with 7 1st rounders that produced Larry Fitzgerald and that's it. As far as the 3 tech goes all we need is a prototypical 3 tech who can run stuff and rotate with AA. We can rely on him to be a rotational pass rusher especially in nickel. Idea 2 would be draft a nose and rotate Mitchell. The bigger concern either way we go is finding the Leo and Sam.

Originally posted by SteveYoung:
EJ Manuel says hi

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:
I have to admit that I've slowly gotten on the Thomas bandwagon. The more and more you picture it, the more a vision of Buckner and Thomas developing into a dynamic duo alongside the dline makes your mouth water a bit. There's been a ton of speculation where Thomas' "tweener" abilities would fit best in this defense. I admit that my problem with young "tweeners" is kind of like Jimmy Ward. They get moved around alot and it can stall their development a bit but I look at a guy like Thomas and I have to agree with you NY, he's a great blue chip prospect, much moreso than Ward was and its hard to pass up on that talent.

I'd be curious if he was drafted what the team itself visualizes for him. Buckner is already a great fit for the 5 tech in this defense. Is Buckner moved inside more permanently​ even in base and you keep Thomas at the 5 then kick him inside similarly to Michael Bennett? Or does the team ask him to get to around 285 and try him at the three more permanently​, even in base and then kick Buckner in?

Overall it would be a good problem to have.

Exactly. DLine is a special beast as a unit. It's probably the one unit that gets subed out the most out of all the other ones. You may have some substitutions at DB but for the most part your starters will see the most snaps, QB, OL all pretty much play their starters all the time. LBers pretty much play starters though obviously get subed out in certain packages but the DL easily has the most guys coming and going whether it's linebackers coming down and rushing or the big run stoppers coming out on obvious passing downs or just guys getting breathers so in the 4th quarter they're not winded as hell.

People say drafting him is a luxury...how can anyone honestly say that given how bad we were on defense last year? Sure it was a group effort but in a 4-3 the DL is key and making assumptions that guys we had last year plus Earl Mitchell will suddenly hold down the fort and become a strong unit moving forward is the perfect way to keep sucking.

There are 0 red flags with Thomas. Only question is where he will play. I have yet to hear anyone give a good reason to be concerned with this kid.

Sure nothing is guaranteed but this kid checks off all the boxes on what makes successful NFL players. I liked him before but the article Phoenix posted about him seeking out a boxer for extra training to help his hands get faster and stronger just made me even that more excited about this kid. Showing that type of initiative and looking to grow as a player and not being complacent is a fantastic trait. It's what makes the good players into great ones.

Lots of guys are content to just be good athletes and think they can get by on that. Some go the extra mile and watch film, lift, listen to their coaches...then there's that extra group who do all that and more. It's not enough and they try to find every competitive edge to improve their game.

How do you say no to that type of player just because you're not sure where he'll play? Let the coaches figure that out. With those physical and mental attributes this kid will succeed wherever he plays on the line.

If people can't think of a legit reason to be concerned about this kid's NFL potential then don't overthink this just because we took Armstead and Buckner back to back.

That's a big concern to have for a #2 overall selection, isn't it? Heck, Barnett would be a better fit than Thomas because he's the better pure outside pass rusher, which is what everyone on this board was saying the 49ers need. Or if perhaps Rueben Foster. Or Malik Hooker. Or Marshon Lattimore. Thomas is a good player, but it seems like a lot of people have transitioned into make the argument to fit the solution they want.

Originally posted by jreff22:
Drafting at 2 and 34 it should be done. Bypassing or missing out on both is going to give us the same problems since forever ago.

Except Solomon Thomas is an edge rusher. Pretty sure we've done this dance before but just because he's great as an interior rusher doesn't mean he can't play on the edge. There's a reason most people project him out there.

If he dropped 15 lbs would your opinion change? Do you want a one dimensional speed rusher? Those guys can be had later...but there's a reason for that.

JJ Watt isn't a typical "edge rusher" was Houston upset they missed out on Aldon Smith or Robert Quinn?

And saying drafting at 2 and 34 it should be done is silly. Not every draft has the same type of players. Myles Garrett would've been a perfect fit but we won another game and missed out. Thomas is the safest pick and he will help the team. Big deal he's not a speed rushing DE. We can get Jordan Willis later on, he's fast and yet he won't be nearly as good a player as Thomas.

We have a ton of holes on this team. Anyway you slice it we'll still have holes after this draft. If we take the best guys on the board we'll help the team. Thomas plays an impact position, it's not like we're drafting the top punter out there. We clearly have questions on the DL. Let's not overthink this.

Originally posted by SteveYoung:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

you act like there are cornstone QBs and edge rushers in every draft which just isn't true. Teams that fail are the ones that overvalue positions like QB in the draft. IF there isn't a FQB there then don't draft one in the top rounds.

EJ Manuel says hi

Yup so does ponder and Blaine

Today is Stanford's pro day.

Originally posted by bzborow1:
That's a big concern to have for a #2 overall selection, isn't it? Heck, Barnett would be a better fit than Thomas because he's the better pure outside pass rusher, which is what everyone on this board was saying the 49ers need. Or if perhaps Rueben Foster. Or Malik Hooker. Or Marshon Lattimore. Thomas is a good player, but it seems like a lot of people have transitioned into make the argument to fit the solution they want.

No that's not a big concern at all. The concern from people is more "what about Armstead". There's no question Thomas WILL play if we draft him. He can succeed all along the line.

He's shown to be a dominant inside rusher and he's shown some great things on the outside as well it's just his time there is limited by what Stanford has done. The kid has all the tools to shine outside or inside. The only questions people have are weight based.

I ask again...if a 200 lb guy can bench 500 lbs but a 300 lb guy can only lift 400 lbs, who's stronger? There are 300+ lb guys in this league who would get thrown around by Thomas.

Nobody arguing for Thomas transitioned anything. Pretty much every one of us has said this kid will make the team better - period. Whether it's at 5T, 3T, Leo...wherever this kid has all the qualities to help out a roster with so many issues last year.

The guys you mentioned may hit a bigger perceived need but they have way more red flags about them than Thomas does. If we draft a kid at a position of need and he goes on to under perform or just be an outright bust was that a great decision?

With a top 5 pick you should be drafting an impact player with as few red flags as possible. That's Thomas.

Originally posted by tjd808185:

We have 2 4ths, 2 5ths, 2 6ths. Those kind of picks don't carry that much trade value. We're not Clv and loaded with early picks. Reallistically 1 of those 6 players may amount to someone. 2 if we're lucky. RB is a position you can always wait on, it's a good secondary class but that doesn't guarantee you a player. I've seen a 1st round receiver class with 7 1st rounders that produced Larry Fitzgerald and that's it. As far as the 3 tech goes all we need is a prototypical 3 tech who can run stuff and rotate with AA. We can rely on him to be a rotational pass rusher especially in nickel. Idea 2 would be draft a nose and rotate Mitchell. The bigger concern either way we go is finding the Leo and Sam.

We traded our 2nd 4th and 6t last yr to move back up into the 1st last yr

Dude I don't care what you think we "need" at 3-tech and what Seattle player compares to what player in the draft...we aren't Seattle nor do we have to be. It's all about talent level at the top and Thomas is regarded as the 2nd best player in the draft by most. I'll take a Bennett/Campbell combo with Thomas/buck...I provided a article about the 4-3 under explaining how important the 3-tech is...Phoenix provided an article stating how Bennett lined up all over the place this past season including the LEO...why can't Eli play SAM? Why can't lynch work the LEO? Like you said we aren't gonna get everything in one draft and will have $70+ million in cap space next off season as well.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

you act like there are cornstone QBs and edge rushers in every draft which just isn't true. Teams that fail are the ones that overvalue positions like QB in the draft. IF there isn't a FQB there then don't draft one in the top rounds.

This. The only players on our team good enough to warrant not picking a player in their place are Joe Staley and Navarro Bowman, however they are both either aging or injured meaning there are no barriers. We aren't good enough to ignore talent, and this is not a one year rebuild

Originally posted by tjd808185:

We have 2 4ths, 2 5ths, 2 6ths. Those kind of picks don't carry that much trade value. We're not Clv and loaded with early picks. Reallistically 1 of those 6 players may amount to someone. 2 if we're lucky. RB is a position you can always wait on, it's a good secondary class but that doesn't guarantee you a player. I've seen a 1st round receiver class with 7 1st rounders that produced Larry Fitzgerald and that's it. As far as the 3 tech goes all we need is a prototypical 3 tech who can run stuff and rotate with AA. We can rely on him to be a rotational pass rusher especially in nickel. Idea 2 would be draft a nose and rotate Mitchell. The bigger concern either way we go is finding the Leo and Sam.

This