Solomon Thomas--Stanford

He's not an outside rusher. Whoever drafts him will probably mess with it and see he's better suited inside. He constantly collapses the pocket from the inside

Originally posted by jreff22:

So he going to be drafted to play LEO? The biggest hole we have on the DL, he's going to fill that spot full time?

Every single scouting report is wrong? He's really an outside rusher and Stanford was using him incorrectly the whole time?

I said he can play all over...he played the edge at Stanford he also played inside and was the best run stuffing DL according to PFF. Last I saw we sucked at stopping the run.

Why not draft him and still get a speed rusher later in the draft? He's talent is not in question...his combine numbers we're unreal for his size and on par with other great DL that are studs in the NFL.

Go look at some of the top edge rushers and their numbers vs his...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/solomon-thomas?id=2558018

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/tim-williams?id=2557841

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/derek-barnett?id=2557984

Why can't he be an outside rusher? Why the hell could we not use a player like him? Explain

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:

He's not an outside rusher. Whoever drafts him will probably mess with it and see he's better suited inside. He constantly collapses the pocket from the inside

I don't see why he can't be used on the outside sometimes? Why are guys like Barnett and Williams looked at as stud edge rushers when they both have shorter arms, slower 40 times, 3 cone, and shuttle runs.

I agree he's a interior monster but I don't see why he can't be used on the outside at times either.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jreff22:

So he going to be drafted to play LEO? The biggest hole we have on the DL, he's going to fill that spot full time?

Every single scouting report is wrong? He's really an outside rusher and Stanford was using him incorrectly the whole time?

I said he can play all over...he played the edge at Stanford he also played inside and was the best run stuffing DL according to PFF. Last I saw we sucked at stopping the run.

Why not draft him and still get a speed rusher later in the draft? He's talent it not in question he's combine numbers we're unreal for his size and on par with other great DL that are studs in the NFL.

Go look at some of the top edge rushers and their numbers vs his...

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/solomon-thomas?id=2558018

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/tim-williams?id=2557841

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/derek-barnett?id=2557984

Why can't he be an outside rusher? Explain

He's not an edge rusher. He's an interior rusher, that's where the mismatches come from. You can find a gap for him to exploit and do work. He's not going to be bending around tackles. Guys like Garrett, Barnett, Taco, Tak are dedicated edge guys. Thomas will be collapsing the pocket from the inside.

It literally makes 0 sense to move him outside. He is built to rush from the middle.

Originally posted by Jasta:

Originally posted by jreff22:

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by jreff22:
Short answer...no.

why?

Because he's never played the position. No matter how much you think he can, HE'S NEVER PLAYED LEO. He is an interior rusher on passing downs.

His combine numbers cannot be used to prove something he's never done.

So aside from Myles Garr-aint-happening... who is the best Leo in the draft? Barnett? Taco?

Derek Rivers

Originally posted by jreff22:

He's not an edge rusher. He's an interior rusher, that's where the mismatches come from. You can find a gap for him to exploit and do work. He's not going to be bending around tackles. Guys like Garrett, Barnett, Taco, Tak are dedicated edge guys. Thomas will be collapsing the pocket from the inside.

It literally makes 0 sense to move him outside. He is built to rush from the middle.

I'm not saying take him away from that but he can still do it if need be...I'm not making him a full time edge rusher but you can line him up there or really anywhere along that line. He produced on the outside so don't tell me he can't do it. He just happens to be a stud in the inside.

I'd rather move down but if not this kid is a pro bowler and anyone can use that especially us.

I love how you say he's not just because even though I've shown you he has more athletic ability than some of the best edge rushers in this draft and is doing it with and extra 10-15lbs.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:

He's not an outside rusher. Whoever drafts him will probably mess with it and see he's better suited inside. He constantly collapses the pocket from the inside

I don't see why he can't be used on the outside sometimes? Why are guys like Barnett and Williams looked at as stud edge rushers when they both have shorter arms, slower 40 times, 3 cone, and shuttle runs.

I agree he's a interior monster but I don't see why he can't be used on the outside at times either.

Because he doesn't turn the corner and hand fight as well as guys like Bosa or Myles, he bum rushes through guys but is also quick as hell. Someone else pointed out in this thread a while back that he just doesn't have the bend that those guys have. Maybe he can learn it. But he needs to be drafted with the intention of using him inside. But at the same time would be wise to see if he can improve and be used as an edge. He claims he can, but the mans gotta talk himself up.

Most scouting reports I have read say his best fit in a 4-3 defense is DE. This is also the feeling I get when I watch his tape.

Think of it like a solid edge like Bosa has the bend necessary to turn the corner(the tackle). Thomas just runs right f**kin through people.

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:

Because he doesn't turn the corner and hand fight as well as guys like Bosa or Myles, he bum rushes through guys but is also quick as hell. Someone else pointed out in this thread a while back that he just doesn't have the bend that those guys have. Maybe he can learn it. But he needs to be drafted with the intention of using him inside. But at the same time would be wise to see if he can improve and be used as an edge. He claims he can, but the mans gotta talk himself up.

Outside of not having backbreaking bend I don't see how he can't be used outside when needed...he most certainly has great hand usage...

From his draft profile.

"Lined up at multiple positions. Has ravenous approach to the game. Gets out of the blocks quickly and attacks with early, skilled hands. Stays hungry and wants to feast. Powerful for his size. Shows ability to win with power or quickness. Outstanding athleticism. Fluid in his play. Transitions from move to move. Unpredictable pass rush. Attacks both the edges and can crank up a bull rush. Uses swipes, rips and arm-over to unlock his rush. Hands and feet work in unison. Has lightning-quick spin move he can access to unhinge from block and find new life in his rush. Violent disengagements from blocks leave no doubt blocker is whipped"

I do agree he's a better interior DL prospect but people poo pooing him from playing the edge are imo wrong.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:

Because he doesn't turn the corner and hand fight as well as guys like Bosa or Myles, he bum rushes through guys but is also quick as hell. Someone else pointed out in this thread a while back that he just doesn't have the bend that those guys have. Maybe he can learn it. But he needs to be drafted with the intention of using him inside. But at the same time would be wise to see if he can improve and be used as an edge. He claims he can, but the mans gotta talk himself up.

Outside of not having backbreaking bend I don't see how he can't be used outside when needed...he most certainly has great hand usage...

From his draft profile.

"Lined up at multiple positions. Has ravenous approach to the game. Gets out of the blocks quickly and attacks with early, skilled hands. Stays hungry and wants to feast. Powerful for his size. Shows ability to win with power or quickness. Outstanding athleticism. Fluid in his play. Transitions from move to move. Unpredictable pass rush. Attacks both the edges and can crank up a bull rush. Uses swipes, rips and arm-over to unlock his rush. Hands and feet work in unison. Has lightning-quick spin move he can access to unhinge from block and find new life in his rush. Violent disengagements from blocks leave no doubt blocker is whipped"

I do agree he's a better interior DL prospect but people poo pooing him from playing the edge are imo wrong.

I must've missed that about his hand skills. Even better. Dudes a beast. Saying he's a better interior prospect just says more about how damn good he is on the inside.

I think the point people make is, why take a guy who's so crazy good on the inside and make him play edge rusher?

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Outside of not having backbreaking bend I don't see how he can't be used outside when needed...he most certainly has great hand usage...

From his draft profile.

"Lined up at multiple positions. Has ravenous approach to the game. Gets out of the blocks quickly and attacks with early, skilled hands. Stays hungry and wants to feast. Powerful for his size. Shows ability to win with power or quickness. Outstanding athleticism. Fluid in his play. Transitions from move to move. Unpredictable pass rush. Attacks both the edges and can crank up a bull rush. Uses swipes, rips and arm-over to unlock his rush. Hands and feet work in unison. Has lightning-quick spin move he can access to unhinge from block and find new life in his rush. Violent disengagements from blocks leave no doubt blocker is whipped"

I do agree he's a better interior DL prospect but people poo pooing him from playing the edge are imo wrong.

There's a difference between a few plays and being drafted as an edge rusher. If we planned on moving Buckner to 3 and playing Thomas at 5 fine but he's not a Leo. There's no Leo's moving inside on passing downs on any 4-3 under d. They play wide and are typically 10 pounds lighter than Thomas. Thomas is an amazing athlete but it's a huge leap to put him out on the edge every play. No scouting reports are advising that and quite frankly it's a waste of his abilities. Reality is he's either going to have slim down to play Leo or bulk up to play interior. Or he plays 5 like Bennett.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by jreff22:

He's not an edge rusher. He's an interior rusher, that's where the mismatches come from. You can find a gap for him to exploit and do work. He's not going to be bending around tackles. Guys like Garrett, Barnett, Taco, Tak are dedicated edge guys. Thomas will be collapsing the pocket from the inside.

It literally makes 0 sense to move him outside. He is built to rush from the middle.

I'm not saying take him away from that but he can still do it if need be...I'm not making him a full time edge rusher but you can line him up there or really anywhere along that line. He produced on the outside so don't tell me he can't do it. He just happens to be a stud in the inside.

I'd rather move down but if not this kid is a pro bowler and anyone can use that especially us.

I love how you say he's not just because even though I've shown you he has more athletic ability than some of the best edge rushers in this draft and is doing it with and extra 10-15lbs.

How many of his 8 sacks did he produce on the outside?

Showing athletic ability in underwear doesn't prove anything. Is this your first year watching the combine? Every year guys look overly athletic and it puts people into a spin. Because he runs drills fast does not mean he's going to excel at bending the edge. You are hung up on numbers that guys put up wearing compression shorts. Do you think the fastest guys make the best football players? The combine is one metric used to judge a player.

He is going to set the edge on rushing downs. On passing downs you move him to exploit gaps and use his strength. He's not going to be battling LT's for pressure. No matter how hard you want it, he's not going to be doing it.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:
He's not an outside rusher. Whoever drafts him will probably mess with it and see he's better suited inside. He constantly collapses the pocket from the inside

I don't see why he can't be used on the outside sometimes? Why are guys like Barnett and Williams looked at as stud edge rushers when they both have shorter arms, slower 40 times, 3 cone, and shuttle runs.

I agree he's a interior monster but I don't see why he can't be used on the outside at times either.

Just a couple of honest questions:

Is he a natural bender? Does he use different pass rush moves?

Talking solely sack production, Thomas certainly HAS NOT produced from the outside. Again, the real debate is are you fine with taking Buckner away from his natural position to draft Thomas? I'm fine with it, but it's not my first choice