Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas’ 49ers career officially got underway Friday.
Thomas signed his four-year, $28 million contract a day after the full team reported to training camp.
“We have an amazing defensive line right now,” Thomas said. ” It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a pretty dangerous D-line and I’m excited to be part of it.”
Thomas said he instructed his agent, Tom Condon at CAA Sports, to wrap up a deal quickly and thus avoid a prolonged stalemate. Last year, a month-long stalemate ensued for fellow Condon client Joey Bosa with the Chargers after they selected him No. 3 overall, the same slot as Thomas this year.
“He knew how fast I wanted to be out here and that I didn’t want to be by myself another month,” Thomas added.
Thomas weighed in at 276 pounds, and his versatile 6-foot-3 frame is expected to line up at defensive end in base defense and move inside on passing downs.
Friday marked the first practice of camp, and Thomas signed while that first session got underway without him on the field.
“I ran down to the locker room, threw my (No. 94) jersey on, laced up new cleats and got out there,” said Thomas, who did a conditioning test and individual work with strength coach Ray Wright.
Thomas watched the final half of the two-hour practice, and he walked off the field talking with veteran linebacker Elvis Dumervil.
“Solomon is a guy who’s in shape,” coach Kyle Shanahan said after practice. “I know Ray (Wright) worked him out and put him through our conditioning test. We’ve seen Solomon. We’ve seen his workouts. He’s a guy who believes in shape.
“I expect to see him out there (practicing) tomorrow.”
The 49ers drafted Thomas, a Stanford star, No. 3 overall after trading out of the No. 2 slot with the Chicago Bears, who also sent them a third-round pick, a fourth-rounder and a 2018 third-round choice.
Thomas is expected to play as both a defensive end and interior rusher on a 49ers line that includes previous top draft picks Arik Armstead (2015) and DeForest Buckner (2016).
Thomas’ contract is expected to include an $18.6 million signing bonus, per the league’s rookie-salary slot system.
Unable to practice in the offseason program because of a league rule related to Stanford’s academic calendar, Thomas said he trained on his own and studied enough of the scheme on film to say he’s not behind right now.
Thomas also worked out in recent months with former NFL stars Demarcus Ware and Warren Sapp.
