2. Defensive Lineman, Solomon Thomas

An incredible season-first happened in week nine. No, it’s not about Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones’ first touchdown catch of the season. It’s about the 2017 number two overall pick’s first sack of the 2018 season.

From not meeting expectations in his second year to finding himself in a reserve role when he should be taking that next step. It’s been a rough sophomore campaign for the Stanford product.

However, there’s still time for him to make a resurgence in the last half of the season.

One thing that’s led to his low statistics is his usage rate. He’s in constant rotation at the LEO position and found himself with a small number of snaps at the beginning of the season. Including being getting less than Cassius Marsh who plays behind him.

The other thing that would help him most is rushing from the interior. His success when rushing inside far surpasses his ability going on the outside. Sam Monson from Pro Football Focus went into detail just how much of a difference this is for Thomas from his final year in college to his rookie season.

Thomas was a force in college for Stanford, dominating in his final season of Pac-12 action, generating 47 total pressures and 46 defensive stops.

He earned one of the best overall PFF grades we have given to a defensive lineman – a 92.7 including run-defense and pass-rush grades of at least 86.8.

Thomas though, struggled badly in Year 1, earning an ugly-looking overall PFF grade of 53.2, including a pass-rush grade of 46.5. He rushed the passer 401 times in his rookie season, and affected the quarterback only 30 times for one of the worst pressure rates of any defensive linemen in the game.

If the 49ers can do this, then Thomas should be able to generate serious production.