Solomon Thomas

The 49ers were largely considered to have won the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft after trading down and still getting their guy, Solomon Thomas, with the third overall pick. Results were mixed in his rookie campaign, as the athletic freak managed just three sacks to go along with 41 tackles in 14 games. Thomas did show flashes of his potential at times, but he'll need to step it up in his sophomore season in order to evade early "bust" rumblings. The 22-year-old will serve a hybrid role in 2018, serving as the pass-rushing "Leo" defensive end in base formations, while moving inside on passing downs. It sounds like the 49ers plan to officially unleash Thomas as an every-down player, after limiting his snaps last year.

The 49ers have been looking for a replacement for Justin Smith ever since he retired, taking defensive linemen in the first round of the draft for three consecutive years. The team may have found its best replica to date when they used the third overall pick to draft Thomas, a slightly-undersized defensive end who brings the ferocity that the Cowboy used to exhibit. There are concerns about his length and his ability to generate enough sacks from the defensive end position, but the Stanford product certainly has the athleticism and motor to prove doubters wrong. Like DeForest Buckner before him, Thomas should immediately make an impact up front for a young 49ers defense.