Tag: Solomon Thomas

49ers defensive line depth continues to stand out in camp

Solomon Thomas and Kerry Hyder could be two huge keys in the 49ers replicating their stout defensive line.

The 49ers’ defensive front was the catalyst to the club’s run to the Super Bowl last season. While the starting unit was strong, it was the depth that allowed the line to be relentless and impact quarterbacks for all 60 minutes. Despite losing defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Sheldon Day, training camp returns indicate depth on the defensive line should continue to be one of the team’s biggest strengths.

Following the team’s Friday practice inside Levi’s Stadium, ESPN’s Nick Wagoner noted that two potentially key rotation pieces had strong outings on the defensive line.

He said Solomon Thomas and Kerry Hyder both stood out during the session. Thomas had a couple of sacks, and Hyder contributed another while applying consistent pressure. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens was also a player Wagoner singled out form the defensive line.

With rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw still finding his way in the NFL, having a bulked up Thomas playing well on the interior is a significant development for San Francisco. He’s entering his fourth season and has bounced around inside and outside during his career. Now he’s set to play almost exclusively inside where he’s more comfortable, and the change has him playing well in camp. If he translates that into the regular season and the 49ers can rely on him to push the pocket from the inside on passing downs — it’ll help alleviate some of the stress put on the defensive line following the loss of Buckner in the offseason.

Hyder’s name has surfaced a few times throughout camp as well. There was some thought when he signed in San Francisco after one year with Dallas that reuniting with defensive line coach Kris Kocurek would help Hyder regain the form that carried him to a career-best 8.0 sacks in 2016. Now three years removed from an Achilles tear and playing under the same coach that helped guide him to his best season as a pro — Hyder looks to be in line for a spot as a rotational edge rusher who can effectively spell Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford. Depth at the edge is especially important for the 49ers.

Givens coming on as a potential player on the interior would be welcome for San Francisco too given their depth issues there. He played in one game last year as an undrafted rookie after spending most of the year on the practice squad. The 49ers have Kinlaw, Thomas and DJ Jones inside, with Arik Armstead also kicking inside on passing downs. Having another capable player to chew up snaps would only bolster San Francisco’s best unit.

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49ers training camp takeaways: Defensive line depth shines

The 49ers depth on the defensive line could be their biggest key to returning to the Super Bowl.

The 49ers’ run to Super Bowl LIV was spearheaded by the team’s very stout defensive line. With continuity across the board — repeating as NFC champions will likely start for San Francisco with their defensive front again. Big showings from some of their rotational players in Friday’s practice are a positive sign that their depth along the front will continue to be a strong suit.

ESPN’s Nick Wagoner observed that defensive linemen Kentavius Street and Solomon Thomas were “both very effective in pass rush drills,” and that Thomas would’ve had a sack in the team portion of practice.

The emergence of Thomas and Street as reliable rotational options would be a significant development for the 49ers.

Thomas has been a fine rotational player through his first three seasons, even if he hasn’t lived up to his status as the No. 3 overall pick. However, with rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw still getting his NFL legs and nose tackle DJ Jones nursing a shoulder injury of unknown severity — Thomas could be in for an increased role on the interior this season. The 49ers would love to see Thomas line up an increased workload with a sizable step forward in on-field production.

Street is an intriguing option on the defensive line as well after missing his entire rookie year due to a pre-draft ACL tear, then re-aggravating that injury last season after playing just 38 snaps across three games late in the year. The 49ers selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 draft with the hopes he could be a contributor at defensive tackle. A fully healthy Street is one of the 49ers’ strongest players, and having him navigating the interior of the defensive line at a time when depth there is thin would be a welcome sight for the 49ers’ coaching staff.

Another note worth mentioning came from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch, who said reserve defensive end Kerry Hyder came up with a sack in team drills.

Hyder has been reunited in San Francisco with defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. The defensive end had a breakout campaign with 8.0 sacks in 2016 with the Lions when Kocurek was the defensive line coach there. An Achilles kept Hyder out for the 2017 campaign, and he posted just 1.0 sacks in seven games in 2018 before joining the Cowboys last year.

The hope for the 49ers is joining a Kocurek-coached defensive line, three years removed from his injury, will help Hyder become an effective rotational edge rusher once again. San Francisco’s pass rush was at its best last year when they had a deep rotation of fresh legs each game, and Hyder coming on throughout camp gives them a chance to replicate that again in 2020.

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Report: 49ers decline 5th-year option on DL Solomon Thomas

The 49ers won’t pick up the fifth-year option on defensive lineman Solomon Thomas’ rookie deal according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. Thomas, the No. 3 overall pick in 2017, has had a disappointing start to his career with 6.0 sacks and 16 tackles …

The 49ers won’t pick up the fifth-year option on defensive lineman Solomon Thomas’ rookie deal according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

Thomas, the No. 3 overall pick in 2017, has had a disappointing start to his career with 6.0 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 46 games. His best season was his rookie year when he posted 3.0 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits. He’s been unable to build on that rookie campaign.

San Francisco has been pretty patient with rookies and their fifth-year options. Jimmie Ward and Arik Armstead both got theirs after up-and-down starts to their careers, but Thomas hasn’t shown enough to warrant the price tag that comes with exercising the fifth-year club option that comes on the back end of every first-round pick’s contract.

This doesn’t rule out Thomas’ return to the club next season. He’d just be signed to a new, cheaper deal.

2020 is a big season for Thomas. He’ll likely be tasked with playing more snaps at his natural defensive tackle spot. If he can produce in Year 4, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 49ers re-sign him this offseason.