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San Francisco 49ers: Grading the 2017 draft class

By Nicholas McGee

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Solomon Thomas #94 and Eli Harold #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrate after the Seattle Seahawks missed a field goal attempt at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Day 1 Picks

Solomon Thomas: B
Reuben Foster: A+

Solomon Thomas was not the immediate slam dunk edge rusher some will have expected him to be when the 49ers took him with the third overall pick, Indeed, Thomas only had three sacks and missed two games through injury, but he was excellent as a run defender, excelling at setting the edge and in backside pursuit.

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Logging 10 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits, Thomas still produced enough to suggest he can be impact player against both the run and the pass, and the fact the 49ers were still able to select him while moving down a pick and attaining extra capital must up the grade, especially given that they used some of that capital to trade back into the first round and select arguably the best defensive player in the draft.

Linebacker Reuben Foster slid down the draft due to concerns over his character and a worrying shoulder injury, but the 49ers were adamant they had no issue with Foster’s shoulder, and their faith was rewarded. Foster already looks like one of the best linebackers in the league, racking up 72 tackles despite missing six games, with only Dontae Johnson (76) registering more.

Everything that Foster produced at Alabama quickly translated to the NFL level as he proved a destructive force attacking downhill while also showing the athleticism and the instincts to chase sideline to sideline and find the ball-carrier.

Far from afraid to take on blockers head on and extremely capable in pass coverage, Foster looks every bit like the second coming of Patrick Willis and, having been taken with the 31st overall pick, he stands as one of many absolute steals for Lynch and Shanahan in year one.