Solomon Thomas--Stanford

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
My questions is, tho its an opinion bc no one can tell the future and how these kids turn out when they get in the NFL, has Soloman Thomas become the BPA on the board @ 2..?

Yes. Look at his film, stats and look at his physical numbers. Not only is he a good but he's versatile.

I honestly don't know how he wouldn't be BPA. Only way I can see him not be that on our board is if they have a higher grade on the QBs and the position simply trumps the overall grade(though technically that wouldn't mean BPA but you get the point) or if we have one of the safeties rated way higher than their counterparts vs the drop in Thomas to the secondary pass rushers.

To me though the guy has everything you look for. Multi dimensional player who can play every down. Run or pass this kid will make plays. Plays hard every down, great kid and great leader. Perfect guy to bring onto a roster that's trying to change its culture and hits a need.

Hopefully the Stanford connection pays off here. I honestly wouldn't be shocked to see Thomas develop into a better player than Garrett.

Assuming he ends up in Cleveland like many expect then I can definatly see that.

Originally posted by jcs:

Assuming he ends up in Cleveland like many expect then I can definatly see that.

He would have more opportunities for sacks because their O will never stay on the field.

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by jersey49er:
My questions is, tho its an opinion bc no one can tell the future and how these kids turn out when they get in the NFL, has Soloman Thomas become the BPA on the board @ 2..?

Yes. Look at his film, stats and look at his physical numbers. Not only is he a good but he's versatile.

just watched his highlights and wow yeah hes going to be a star, I understand what Phoenix was saying how just bc AA was a 1st round pick and basically plays the same position it shouldn't have any impact on taking Thomas bc honestly he looks like a future star and AA hasn't shown much, from what ppl have said is Thomas a good kid and leader too..also that Stanford thing matters lol wouldn't be mad at all if Thomas was the pick but I think I still wish for a trade partner and receive their 1st next year

Originally posted by ChazBoner:
after watching 2 minutes of highlights,

looks like the black guy from New Star wars movie

Originally posted by ChazBoner:
after watching 2 minutes of highlights,

This video will change your mind instantly

Originally posted by 49ERFANb4Uwas:

Originally posted by ChazBoner:
after watching 2 minutes of highlights,

This video will change your mind instantly

Hooker is a freak, ball hawk who can be special but I'm not taking a FS without seeing Jimmy Ward out there 1st, his natural position, don't be surprised if he shines..

Originally posted by NCommand:
I didn't say that. I said you don't need Thomas per se' b/c you could get similar production from a rotation of DL there with the off chance Armstead takes off there.

That doesn't really make much sense. Why draft any DL early in the draft if you can take a bunch of average guys to get "the same production." ....the idea that you don't need one great player, just a bunch of so-so players, it doesn't add up.

Try that argument with WR.

"The 49ers don't need {insert #1 WR prospect name} because they could get similar production from a rotation of WR there with the off chance that Robinson takes off there."

Thomas is a higher tier of prospect than any other guy the 49ers have with the possible exception of Buckner. Armstead certainly isn't in that category.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Plus it's the least important position in their scheme.

Based on what? In what defensive scheme is a potentially dominant DL not useful? I think you are reading way too much into what Seattle has done and seem to believe that is the only way to go about it. The 49ers under Fangio ran a whole lot of 4-3 under looks and Justin Smith and Ray McDonald were absolutely crucial parts of that, neither was a random fat slob or space-filler.

You're making the assumption that what they have emphasized is what every team running a similar scheme is going to emphasize and that really doesn't add up. You don't have to look any further than Jacksonville to see a team running the same scheme putting emphasis on the interior of their DL in a big way.

You think Seattle would turn down the opportunity to draft a guy like Thomas?

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I didn't say that. I said you don't need Thomas per se' b/c you could get similar production from a rotation of DL there with the off chance Armstead takes off there.

That doesn't really make much sense. Why draft any DL early in the draft if you can take a bunch of average guys to get "the same production." ....the idea that you don't need one great player, just a bunch of so-so players, it doesn't add up.

Try that argument with WR.

"The 49ers don't need {insert #1 WR prospect name} because they could get similar production from a rotation of WR there with the off chance that Robinson takes off there."

Thomas is a higher tier of prospect than any other guy the 49ers have with the possible exception of Buckner. Armstead certainly isn't in that category.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Plus it's the least important position in their scheme.

Based on what? In what defensive scheme is a potentially dominant DL not useful? I think you are reading way too much into what Seattle has done and seem to believe that is the only way to go about it. The 49ers under Fangio ran a whole lot of 4-3 under looks and Justin Smith and Ray McDonald were absolutely crucial parts of that, neither was a random fat slob or space-filler.

You're making the assumption that what they have emphasized is what every team running a similar scheme is going to emphasize and that really doesn't add up. You don't have to look any further than Jacksonville to see a team running the same scheme putting emphasis on the interior of their DL in a big way.

You think Seattle would turn down the opportunity to draft a guy like Thomas?

Jax just brought in Coughlin and there's rumors that Bradley's system is out despite keeping the DC. The players hated it too. They brought in Jackson because Aloulou was a bust but now you may be seeing Tom's philosophy of stocking up on the d line.

RaY McDonald is a great example why you guys may be pulling the plug a little early on AA. He didn't emerge into year 5 and year 3 as a starter

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I didn't say that. I said you don't need Thomas per se' b/c you could get similar production from a rotation of DL there with the off chance Armstead takes off there.

That doesn't really make much sense. Why draft any DL early in the draft if you can take a bunch of average guys to get "the same production." ....the idea that you don't need one great player, just a bunch of so-so players, it doesn't add up.

Try that argument with WR.

"The 49ers don't need {insert #1 WR prospect name} because they could get similar production from a rotation of WR there with the off chance that Robinson takes off there."

Thomas is a higher tier of prospect than any other guy the 49ers have with the possible exception of Buckner. Armstead certainly isn't in that category.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Plus it's the least important position in their scheme.

Based on what? In what defensive scheme is a potentially dominant DL not useful? I think you are reading way too much into what Seattle has done and seem to believe that is the only way to go about it. The 49ers under Fangio ran a whole lot of 4-3 under looks and Justin Smith and Ray McDonald were absolutely crucial parts of that, neither was a random fat slob or space-filler.

You're making the assumption that what they have emphasized is what every team running a similar scheme is going to emphasize and that really doesn't add up. You don't have to look any further than Jacksonville to see a team running the same scheme putting emphasis on the interior of their DL in a big way.

You think Seattle would turn down the opportunity to draft a guy like Thomas?

I do! Like NT for us in the 3-4, the belief was that it could be had in the 5th, UDFA, or 2nd at the highest. Just look at their players inside there over the years. It's not a premium position...at all. But heavy rotation of quality players there is.

If you are making a WR reference, the 3T is like our slot WR. Sure, we like Kerley there. But we could probably get similar production from a couple players there...from a TE and a guy like Carter, Robinson, Ellington, etc. Not a #2 overall pick.

The 3T is still going to be subbing out anyhow. In nickel and dime you want to move him to DE and take away pass rush opportunities from a more natural pass rusher?

Again, I'm not saying he is a poor player by any means or doesn't have great upside...just the gap of total production you're going to get from him isn't going to be dramatic over a rotation of Armstead, Blair and/or Mitchell there. It's that simple.

Originally posted by jersey49er:

just watched his highlights and wow yeah hes going to be a star, I understand what Phoenix was saying how just bc AA was a 1st round pick and basically plays the same position it shouldn't have any impact on taking Thomas bc honestly he looks like a future star and AA hasn't shown much, from what ppl have said is Thomas a good kid and leader too..also that Stanford thing matters lol wouldn't be mad at all if Thomas was the pick but I think I still wish for a trade partner and receive their 1st next year

Safe, clean pick. Would not be upset at all with this pick. It's the classic BPA ideology. Will he be BPA on ShanaLynch's board?

But yeah, trade down is one move we all agree on. Which tells you a lot about the #2 pick this year.

Originally posted by NCommand:
Safe, clean pick. Would not be upset at all with this pick. It's the classic BPA ideology. Will he be BPA on ShanaLynch's board?

But yeah, trade down is one move we all agree on. Which tells you a lot about the #2 pick this year.

Trade down also speaks volumes about the status of our roster.....

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Safe, clean pick. Would not be upset at all with this pick. It's the classic BPA ideology. Will he be BPA on ShanaLynch's board?

But yeah, trade down is one move we all agree on. Which tells you a lot about the #2 pick this year.

Trade down also speaks volumes about the status of our roster.....

LOL...that too!

Originally posted by NCommand:
Again, I'm not saying he is a poor player by any means or doesn't have great upside...just the gap of total production you're going to get from him isn't going to be dramatic over a rotation of Armstead, Blair and/or Mitchell there. It's that simple.

Guys like Garrett and Thomas potentially offer more than just numbers. They may be able to influence game plans. Rotational guys have their strengths, but they still play in the conditions set by the gameplan changers. IMO the question is if Garrett and Thomas are truly at that level or just talented team players.

Originally posted by NCommand:
I do! Like NT for us in the 3-4, the belief was that it could be had in the 5th, UDFA, or 2nd at the highest. Just look at their players inside there over the years. It's not a premium position...at all. But heavy rotation of quality players there is.

"Their, their, their." The 49ers defense isn't going to be built exactly how Seattle built their defense. The 49ers won't have the same players as the Seahawks. They are going to be stronger in some areas, weaker in others, just because the scheme is similar doesn't mean the roster is going to be identical or close to it.

You keep making this assumption but there is no real support for it. Teams can run the same schemes and put vastly different priorities on the positions they utilize.

If you are making a WR reference, the 3T is like our slot WR. Sure, we like Kerley there. But we could probably get similar production from a couple players there...from a TE and a guy like Carter, Robinson, Ellington, etc. Not a #2 overall pick.

You made it pretty clear how you feel talent should be allocated on the roster. Kerley + Robinson + a late round rookie are good enough at WR. Absolutely no need for Mike Williams or any other early receiver. Rotations are the best. Quantity>>>>>>>Quality.

If you're saying that you can half ass it on the DL, why not half ass it everywhere else? Because if you can get a great player, whether it be on the DL, LB, CB...etc, you do it, this team has no shortage of needs.

The 3T is still going to be subbing out anyhow. In nickel and dime you want to move him to DE and take away pass rush opportunities from a more natural pass rusher?

Why wouldn't Thomas be out there as well? He'd be the most developed pass rusher on the roster the moment he is drafted. He could be used the same way Seattle uses Bennett, the same way Fangio used Justin Smith, play him on the outside on run downs, move him inside on pass downs.

Again, I'm not saying he is a poor player by any means or doesn't have great upside...just the gap of total production you're going to get from him isn't going to be dramatic over a rotation of Armstead, Blair and/or Mitchell there. It's that simple.

You keep repeating this but you don't know that. Thomas talent wise is better than any three of those guys. Armstead hasn't shown much, Blair is a decent rotational guy and Mitchell was just cut by Miami. He's good depth and a quality guy for a couple years but nothing more.

Originally posted by tjd808185:
Jax just brought in Coughlin and there's rumors that Bradley's system is out despite keeping the DC. The players hated it too. They brought in Jackson because Aloulou was a bust but now you may be seeing Tom's philosophy of stocking up on the d line.

You don't keep a DC to have them run a different scheme. Jacksonville's defense really wasn't the issue last season as much as their offense. They are going to be running a similar 4-3 defense, I doubt much changes in that area.

RaY McDonald is a great example why you guys may be pulling the plug a little early on AA. He didn't emerge into year 5 and year 3 as a starter

You're not waiting for Year 5 for Armstead to show improvement. McDonald was a 3rd round pick, Armstead was a first rounder. If he's not on the trade block already, he will be if he fails to show any real progress this season. McDonald was also an outstanding fit for what Fangio used him for in his defense. Armstead is essentially a lesser version of Buckner in a defense that has only a need for one of them. If you draft Thomas that doesn't mean that Armstead doesn't have a role, it allows him to be a rotational player, if he plays well, you trade him, if he plays poorly, well you've addressed the issue proactively.