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DL Solomon Thomas to Chargers in Mike Mayock’s 2017 mock draft

By Matt Pagels

Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive lineman Solomon Thomas participates in a workout drill during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive lineman Solomon Thomas participates in a workout drill during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL draft guru Mike Mayock revealed his first and only mock draft of 2017. Here’s who he had going to the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 7 overall.

There have been many mock drafts published over the past month. NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock waits until the last second to post his. Unlike his colleagues, Mayock only has one mock draft–and it’s revealed live on NFL Network.

And with the No. 7 overall selection, Mayock had the Chargers selecting Stanford edge rusher Solomon Thomas.

Mayock said the Chargers would be ecstatic to have Thomas fall to them. Thomas is the No. 2 edge rusher behind Myles Garrett in his final position rankings. According to Mayock, the 6-foot-3, 273-pounder can play base end in a 4-3 defense and kick inside on subpackages. He compared Thomas to Rams DT Aaron Donald, saying he has “similar quickness and twitch” to the All-Pro defensive lineman.

There's no stopping the SOL-train.

Next stop for @SollyThomas90? The #NFLDraft. pic.twitter.com/JmpliJdjbe

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 26, 2017

We haven’t covered Thomas much on here because we didn’t think he’d be available (he’s been picked to go in the top five in almost every mock draft). According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas finished with the No. 1 run-defense grade and No. 6 pass-rushing grade among FBS interior defensive linemen in 2016.

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Thomas proved he was a gifted athlete after being one of the “winners” of the NFL Scouting Combine, but can he dominate on the football field? Thomas has a ton of potential, but is he a tweener who will get overpowered because of his size? That’s the question, and it’ll be on new DC Gus Bradley to utilize Thomas correctly and untap that potential.

If he’s anything like Donald, who also had size concerns going into the draft, then the Chargers will boast a dangerous defensive line that features Thomas, 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram (who has yet to sign his franchise tag).

Meanwhile, Ohio State safety Malik Hooker, who’s been mocked to the Chargers in almost every mock draft, went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 19 overall.

With that said, here are Mayock’s first seven picks:

  1. Cleveland Browns – Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett
  2. San Francisco 49ers – LSU S Jamal Adams
  3. Chicago Bears – Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars – LSU RB Leonard Fournette
  5. Cleveland Browns (from Titans) – UNC QB Mitchell Trubisky
  6. New York Jets – Alabama TE O.J. Howard
  7. Los Angeles Chargers – Stanford DE Solomon Thomas

Would you be happy if the Chargers landed Thomas?

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