New San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch might have had some inside insight on the Niners' selection at No. 3 overall, defensive end Solomon Thomas.
While Thomas was in school, Lynch returned to Stanford to complete his college degree, and the two had a class together and even collaborated on a project, according to ESPN.
When your classmate is your future boss. #SCFacts pic.twitter.com/thBGJLcfEu
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2017
RELATED: San Francisco 49ers Trade Down, Draft Solomon Thomas No. 3 Overall
It's an interesting connection for the two as Thomas will forever be linked to Lynch as his first draft pick as an NFL GM. Most already see Lynch's first draft in the position as a major success, after it appeared he fleeced the Chicgao Bears, trading back just one selection as Chicago moved up to draft quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
The Bears unloaded Nos. 3, 67, 111, and a 2018 3rd-round pick for the No. 2 pick, which they used to draft Trubisky. Heading into the draft, most analysts projected the 49ers to draft Thomas at No. 2 overall, so the Niners got the player they were likely targeting anyway and picked up three extra picks in the process.
They paired one of those picks (No. 111) with their second round selection to trade back up into the first round with the Seattle Seahawks and drafted Alabama inside linebacker Reuben Foster at No. 31.
RELATED: Complete First Round Draft Results
After learning with him at a class at Stanford, now Thomas will have the chance to learn from Lynch, a multiple-time all-pro defensive star in the NFL. And who knows, maybe Lynch learned a thing or two from Thomas when they had that class together at Stanford.
