© Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most glaring voids in the 49ers roster is the absence of a game-changing edge rusher.
DeForest Buckner’s 3.5 sacks were fifth in the league after three weeks, but he plays almost exclusively on the inside. The rest of the 49ers have just 3.5 sacks combined, a number that could be bigger had they finished on a couple more opportunities.
One of the most discussed members of the 49ers defensive line is Solomon Thomas, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has not warranted that selection yet, from a sheer numbers standpoint, posting three sacks in 17 career games. It’s important to remember Thomas’ natural position at Stanford was on the interior, where he has returned on select downs this season.
Thomas has played just 51 percent of snaps through three games this year. His 57 percent snap rate in Week 3 is his most of the season, marking the first time he exceeded the 50 percent mark. Much of that had to do with San Francisco’s large deficit to Kansas City, which ballooned to 28 points late in the second quarter.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh feels none of the 49ers defensive linemen should play more than 50 percent of snaps, if everything was clicking. They rotate their linemen liberally, depending on situations. But Thomas trails Buckner, Arik Armstead, and Cassius Marsh as the most-used defensive linemen on the team.
“His snap count has been down,” 49ers general manager John Lynch told KNBR Friday morning. “I think Solomon has earned the right to probably be out there a little more. With the way he has played well these last couple games, we will see what transpires the weekend.”
The 49ers are 13th in the NFL with 21 quarterback hits, but they have been unable to sack the quarterback on two-third of those hits. Missed tackles have been San Francisco’s biggest defensive issue, to which its players and coaches attest. The 49ers have missed a league-leading 43 tackles through three weeks. They had 17 last week. They have struggled to get off the field on third down, and untimely penalties have killed them.
The 49ers travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers Sunday afternoon. Lynch and the 49ers brass are focused on rectifying those mistakes to give themselves a chance against one of the most well-rounded NFL squads.
“We got to finish,” Lynch said. “You have to finish the deal. Everything ties together, coverage with front, and we are just not quite there. You see a bunch of guys, including Solly, last week swiping at the legs of (Chiefs quarterback Patrick) Mahomes, but not quite get there. We just got to learn to take that next step and finish people. That’s what this league, it’s about making plays, finishing plays. That’s where we got to get to start turning these into wins.”
Listen to the Murph & Mac podcast with Lynch below. To hear him talk about Thomas, skip to the 10:50 mark.