2017 NFL Draft #13 option talk: DE Solomon Thomas

[Bodha]

In continuing the "Draft Option" series, this weeks prospect is Solomon Thomas.


A late riser. Guy has really climbed the charts in the past 2 months and is now firmly a mid 1st round lock. He is not my 1st option, if guys like Reuben Foster or Quincy Wilson are available, but if he were the pick, I believe hed be a terrific pick.

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Anyways:

5 Star HS recruit. This means hes been consistently elite from HS through College. The uptick in competition level didnt affect his impact. This is notable.

Extremely high motor. Which goes a long way. Golden is arguably one of the least-athletic OLBs in the NFL, yet hes one of the most productive because his motor is unmatched.

Very technical. Guy has a deep bag of pass rush moves, similar to Aaron Donald (also an undersize game destroyer, as mentioned in the video below).

A+ character. Loves the game. Does all the right things. I see this guy as being a 10 year leader in the lockerroom.

Very intelligent (Stanford man). Rarely gets fooled on read options or handoffs.

Very fast for a DL. Watch the clip where he runs down the RB from behind toward the sideline. Russ Wilson isnt getting away from this guy.

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Ill immediately say there are some scheme concerns. At 6'3 270 hes too small for a 3-4 DE. So does that make him an OLB? Do we need an OLB with Chandler and Golden? Can he play inside tech? Rucker is only 6'3 285. Something to consider. But I will say this... good football players play good football. I think elite players are unaffected by scheme.

Bonus:

This is him in high school

good lord

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[DVontel]

I said it before, even if Calais resigns, I still would love this pick. This game is won in the trenches & this is a great CB class so I wouldn't mind waiting a few rounds to draft one.

Just imagine rushing 5 with Calais, Nkemdiche(I think he'll get it all together), Golden, Jones, & Solomon?

Man.....

 

[Bodha]

I said it before, even if Calais resigns, I still would love this pick. This game is won in the trenches & this is a great CB class so I wouldn't mind waiting a few rounds to draft one.

Just imagine rushing 5 with Calais, Nkemdiche(I think he'll get it all together), Golden, Jones, & Solomon?

Man.....

what position will Solomon play if those 4 others are also on the field?

 

[Buckybird]

I'm in

At least we don't have the Stealers picking in front of us, robbing the Big Red of guys it seemed they would've picked!!! Unless...they trade up & stick it too us again lol

 

[Russ Smith]

I'm curious had people not seen Thomas before the bowl game why is he suddenly such a hot commodity to people? I saw him play multiple times at Stanford he was always a terrific talent, one of the better run defenders you will see at his size. So was it just him being in the backfield so much and impact as a pass rusher or did people just not see him play until the bowl game.

I agree the question on him for us would be position, he's a bit undersized but he's a great player, the most common word you hear with him is unblockable.

 

[GatorAZ]

Stanford HC David Shaw says he expects DL Solomon Thomas "to wow NFL folks."
Shaw told Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman that he expects his former star defensive end to run the forty in the high 4.5s with a vertical jump close to 40 inches. That's at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, folks. Rotoworld's Josh Norris had Thomas as a top-10 pick in his first 2017 mock. We're gaga for Thomas' game, which blends size, strength, speed and smarts.

MotherofGod.meme

 

[JeffGollin]

Don't worry about position suitability or where to put him in your defensive alignment.

If you think he's got the chops/mental make-up at #13 to be that great a NFL defensive force, draft him and don't look back.

The coaches (& fate) will figure out where to play him.

 

[Russ Smith]

Stanford HC David Shaw says he expects DL Solomon Thomas "to wow NFL folks."
Shaw told Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman that he expects his former star defensive end to run the forty in the high 4.5s with a vertical jump close to 40 inches. That's at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, folks. Rotoworld's Josh Norris had Thomas as a top-10 pick in his first 2017 mock. We're gaga for Thomas' game, which blends size, strength, speed and smarts.

MotherofGod.meme

I have no idea what he'll run but if you google him out of HS they said he ran a 4.96 in HS. When I saw that I thought there is no way in the world 4.69 I might buy, 4.96 not a chance.

 

[Bodha]

I have no idea what he'll run but if you google him out of HS they said he ran a 4.96 in HS. .

I dont believe that. 4.96 is 300 pound OL speed.

Fast players run fast. Watching his highlights, the guy has natural speed in his DNA. He was fast in HS, I guarantee it.

I absolutely believe the 4.5-6 range.

Clowney ran a 4.52 at 6'6 268. That puts you in the top 1% of human athletics, but just look at that pic of Solomon in HS. Id say hes in the top 1%

 

[Chopper0080]

I go back and forth about Thomas. I get that Rucker plays in our 3-4. That makes me feel that it can work for Thomas. I like versatility. But, you never like to take a guy and potentially put him in a position that emphasizes his weaknesses vs his strengths.

I don't love him at 13, but I think the Cardinals could make him work ala Bucannon though he may not be the best player he can be.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Clowney ran a 4.52 at 6'6 268. That puts you in the top 1% of human athletics,

But he only had 3 sacks his junior year. You can't draft a guy with those stats.

 

[Mitch]

Thomas' versatility is a real plus. The big thing is that he can rush the passer from the LDE or LDT spots in a 4 man line, and he can be a quick disrupter at 34 DE. Chances are he's not a 34 OLB, but the Cardinals really don't need him to be. To have his kind of feet for a player his size, to go with such a strong burst off the snap and an array of swim and spin moves is very impressive. He is worthy of the #13 pick, imo.

 

[Bodha]

But he only had 3 sacks his junior year. You can't draft a guy with those stats.

"Over the two seasons that Thomas saw the field, he recorded 11.5 sacks with 25.5 tackles for loss and two touchdowns. He also recorded 101 tackles in his time at Stanford, all while eating up innumerable double teams and helped free up other edge rushers or linebackers to get to the quarterback"

That doesnt bother me. With Chandler, Golden and Solomon, you have to double one of them, and the other 2 eat.

 

[Finito]

He's a wrecking ball for sure. I wouldn't be mad at the pick at all but he's not my first option

 

[juza76]

I.love the pick
Actually he is my favourite pick at 13
1a)solomon thomas de stanford
1b)hooker fs ohio state
1c) reuben foster, would be the first if is over 235lb

2nd round I want pat mahomesIII

We need to sign a good cb in free agency and a right guard

I dont like cooper as our cb2
I think harlan miller could be a rashard johnson type of player, a safety,not fast but intelligent

 

[football karma]

275 today means 285 in his second year

the Seahawks make Michael Bennett work at 270 and play inside

Josh Mauro is pretty effective at 6-6, 280

Solomon Thomas is 6-3 275

i think the league is going to lighter, faster players on defense ---

 

[Mitch]

275 today means 285 in his second year

the Seahawks make Michael Bennett work at 270 and play inside

Josh Mauro is pretty effective at 6-6, 280

Solomon Thomas is 6-3 275

i think the league is going to lighter, faster players on defense ---

Yes---and the reason is the growing number of athletic QBs. Having lighter, quicker players chasing those QBs gives the defense a better chance of not giving up big scramble plays. Plus, with all the chasing DTs and DEs now do on WR, bubble and traditional screens, it sure helps to have some speed.

 

[Russ Smith]

Just to be clear I mean I don't believe the 4.96 at all he's much faster than that.

Really good player.

I still want an ILB like Foster but I would not at all be opposed to Thomas, if we're really going to lose CC, it would make sense to get another young potentially good DL even if not necessarily a direct replacement.

 

[football karma]

Btw: in the video above, at 1:41 is maybe the most impressive play -- running down a RB who has a head start.

I see a Darnell Dockett kind of player -- a penetrator who could get washed out vs the run from time to time

 

[cardpa]

275 today means 285 in his second year

the Seahawks make Michael Bennett work at 270 and play inside

Josh Mauro is pretty effective at 6-6, 280

Solomon Thomas is 6-3 275

i think the league is going to lighter, faster players on defense ---

Yes---and the reason is the growing number of athletic QBs. Having lighter, quicker players chasing those QBs gives the defense a better chance of not giving up big scramble plays. Plus, with all the chasing DTs and DEs now do on WR, bubble and traditional screens, it sure helps to have some speed.

I agree with both, if he has a quick first step he will be a handful.

 

[Buckybird]

I'm curious had people not seen Thomas before the bowl game why is he suddenly such a hot commodity to people? I saw him play multiple times at Stanford he was always a terrific talent, one of the better run defenders you will see at his size. So was it just him being in the backfield so much and impact as a pass rusher or did people just not see him play until the bowl game.

I agree the question on him for us would be position, he's a bit undersized but he's a great player, the most common word you hear with him is unblockable.

If he's on Big Red he will be tons better than Bustniche whom was invisible more than making a play in college. Thomas is everything our 90 is not.

 

[Bodha]

Bumping this thread because this guy doesnt get enough love around this board.


As we approach the draft.......this guy is currently my #4 option.


1. Reuben Foster
2. Qunicy Wilson
3. Malik Hooker
4. Solomon Thomas

Just look at that guy. What a freak. I see all-pro written all over him. Who knows, he might even climb higher in my ranking by draft day

 

[Cards Czar]

or take this player in the 3rd if he is still there.

Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova

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[Bodha]

or take this player in the 3rd if he is still there.

Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova

Difference between Gucci and Walmart, get out of here with your lessers

 

[Finito]

Thomas is a tank but the way it's looking he might not be there. Man so much depends on Palmer and Fitzgerald. If both return I say go heavy defense of they leave then offense is a must with no real QB at 13 and Mike Williams being gone I would say OJ Howard would be a great player to pick up. Our offense would be heavy run based and he's as good as it gets run blocking coming from Alabama