49ers offensive lineman Brandon Thomas impresses at OTAs

When the 49ers drafted Clemson’s Brandon Thomas in the 3rd round back in 2014, they knew they were getting a steal of an offensive lineman. They also knew that Thomas would probably replace Mike Iupati in the very near future.

And that future is now.

With Iupati electing to go to Arizona, Brandon Thomas is suddenly elevated to the top of the depth chart in 2015.

Thomas, who missed his entire rookie season with an ACL-injury, has already made an impact at OTAs with new 49ers coach Jim Tomsula.

“When you come back off a leg (injury), you’re medically cleared but now you have to get football going. There’s a period of time there, (but) you see it now. Those little hitches in the giddy-up, they’re…