Brandon

Thomas

Detroit acquired Thomas from the 49ers in exchange for Jeremy Kerley less than a week ago. One of the 49ers many ACL rehab picks, the 2014 third-rounder has yet to play a regular-season game. He could end up on the practice squad.

One of the 49ers’ ACL rehab picks, Thomas missed his entire rookie year before playing 106 competent snaps last season. He was no longer needed in San Fran with an un-retired Anthony Davis shifting to guard. Thomas will provide depth behind the questionable duo of LG Laken Tomlinson and RG Larry Warford.

A 2014 third-round pick, Thomas spent his entire rookie season rehabbing from ACL surgery. The 49ers are counting on him to be Mike Iupati’s successor at left guard. Thomas flashed elite tools at Clemson and has the length (34 3/4-inch arms) to excel in pass protection, but will be learning a new scheme after essentially redshirting and needs to prove he can return to pre-injury levels.

Anthony Davis’ “retirement” opened up a big hole on the right side of the 49ers’ line. Of the several in-house options to replace Davis, The San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman believes Pears could be the “front-runner” based on his 58 career starts at right tackle. Pears is experienced, but he has struggled to be anything more than a mediocre blocker throughout his career. Current RG Alex Boone and second-year LG Brandon Thomas are also in the mix.

A first-round player on game tape, Thomas tore his ACL during a pre-draft workout with the Saints. He’ll spend his rookie year on injured reserve, and could compete for a starting job by 2015. LG Mike Iupati’s contract will be up.

This pick made too much sense. Thomas (6-foot-3 1/8, 317) was one of our favorite O-Line prospects to watch on college tape. He frustrated Jadeveon Clowney in Clemson’s November clash with South Carolina, playing with a mean streak and finishing to the whistle. Thomas has left tackle length (34 3/4-inch arms) and athleticism (5.09 forty, 29-inch vertical), and was outstanding protecting Tajh Boyd’s blind side in college. He made 36 starts. Thomas might have been a late first-rounder if not for a torn ACL suffered during the pre-draft process. He’ll spend his rookie year on the 49ers’ reserve/NFI list and could replace LG Mike Iupati, who’s entering the final year of his contract, in the starting lineup in 2015.

It’s a disappointing blow for one of our favorite O-Line prospects in this draft. Thomas manhandled Jadeveon Clowney in Clemson’s 2013 matchup with South Carolina, and was a 36-game starter on Tajh Boyd’s blind side. He was a sleeper to be drafted in the first round. Thomas won’t be available for his rookie NFL season, though some teams may now view him as a “value” pick.

Thomas was a potential first-round sleeper before going down in a pre-draft workout for the Saints earlier this month. Now, he’s not expected to be taken before the third round. Thomas will open the season on the PUP list and could be back for the stretch run. It’s possible he’ll “redshirt” as a rookie on I.R.

Thomas missed his rookie season after tearing his ACL during a pre-draft team workout. He was drafted last year with Iupati’s impending departure in mind. “He looks very good at this point,” Baalke said of Thomas. “He’s come off the knee injury very well. He’s strong. He’s moving well.” Thomas will have to hold off Marcus Martin and Joe Looney in training camp.

Thomas, the 100th pick in May’s draft, is expected to miss the entire season after tearing his ACL in a pre-draft workout for the Saints. He should compete for a starting job next summer. LG Mike Iupati is entering a contract year.