2017 NFL Mock Draft: Defense rules the day
By Brad Weiss
Solomon Thomas
DL, Stanford
The San Francisco 49ers have a new general manager and head coach, as they brought John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan into the fold this offseason. Both men received long-term contracts, which means they are in it for the long haul. This draft will be about bringing in people that can anchor their team for years to come, and Solomon Thomas of Stanford definitely fits that mold.
The 49ers plan to move to a 4-3 defense next season, which would be a perfect scheme for someone of Thomas’ abilities. The big defensive lineman can not only clog up the middle, but also get the edge, making him someone who can be used all over the line. This San Francisco team has a ton of holes on their roster, and making the defensive line a priority will really help them as they try to bring the organization back to respectability.
Brian Hoyer was brought in to play quarterback next season, and with another likely top pick in next year’s draft, they could find their franchise guy in 2018. That NFL Draft class is loaded with arms, which makes going defense a logical choice in the first round tonight. Thomas is someone who is going to make an impact at the next level, and being a Stanford guy himself, John Lynch would be making his first pick as the team’s GM a very smart one.