NFL Draft Profile: Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas Has Enticing Skillset

NFL Draft Profile: Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas Has Enticing Skillset originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots can take their pick of positions to address during the 2026 NFL Draft.

It’s easy to see them targeting someone who can rush the passer, depth options at linebacker and/or tight end, competition along the offensive line, someone who can provide a spark to the skill position group, and… well, pretty much anything else you can think of.

I just don’t think they can do it all…

If the club intends on putting itself in a position to regularly contend, it will need to prioritize things perfectly and put together another superb draft class — which might just include Oklahoma Sooners linebacker R Mason Thomas:

Bio:

R Mason Thomas
Position: EDGE
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 241 lbs
Hand: 8 7/8″
Arm: 31 5/8″
Scouting Combine: 4.67 (40)
2025 Stats: 10 G, 6.5 SCK, 9.5 TFL, 2 FF, 26 TKL

Pros:

Thomas might be the very best athlete in this class of pass-rushers, as his track background shows in the form of an explosive first step and otherworldly bend that comes straight from the “you can’t teach that” camp that so many teams covet. If you need someone who is going to reliably put pressure on the opposing quarterback, look no further than this young man.

HIP/ANKLE FLEXION IS OTHERWORLDLY

CAN CHANGE SPEEDS TO THROW OFF OL, HAS MULTIPLE GEARS

GOOD FEEL FOR CROSSING FACE, DARTS INTO GAPS AND MUDDIES THINGS UP

GOOD IN PURSUIT, EXCELLENT SPEED/ANGLES

CLOSER. DOUBLE-DIGIT FOURTH-QUARTER SACKS DURING COLLEGE CAREER

SCRAPPY PLAY STYLE, ISN’T AFRAID TO USE HIS HANDS/FACE IN THE SCRUM

Cons:

Thomas doesn’t have very much positional versatility due to his size, which also might be a contributor to his durability issues.

UNDERSIZED ACROSS THE BOARD

DURABILITY CONCERNS (MISSED MULTIPLE GAMES IN 2022, 2023, 2025)

TAKES ODD ROUTES TO QB, EASILY RIDDEN OFF PATH AGAINST ELITE OL

FRONT-SIDE RUN DEFENSE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS, NEEDS TO STRENGTHEN ANCHOR

Grade and Player Comparison:

Thomas will have a very productive career if he stays healthy, but that production will almost exclusively come in the passing game and projecting players to get healthier after they make the jump from college to the pros is a fool’s game — though we have seen it happen before with guys like Arnold Ebiketie and Odafe Oweh.

If you’re looking to be positive, his health issues could become a thing of the past and allow him to develop into the type of player his talent would suggest he’s capable of being. If you’re more pragmatic, this is someone who can be a sub-package pass-rusher and will lucky to crack one half of his club’s defensive snaps even when healthy.

GRADE: B-
PLAYER COMP: Arnold Ebiketie

The Patriots ______ R Mason Thomas:

“would be making a huge projection by drafting”

New England could certainly afford to draft two new contributors along the edge, but its first option needs to be someone who can play on all three downs alongside Harold Landry III and Dre’Mont Jones, as it lost two of those options in Anfernee Jennings and K’Lavon Chaisson.

Thomas hasn’t proven to be that guy, so taking him at the end of the first round, or making a trade to take him in the middle of the second round, would mean the organization projects that his best football is ahead of him. It’s a risk that someone is going to be willing to take, it just remains to be seen who.

More NFL: Patriots Offseason Preview: Everything Team Must Address In 2026

NFL Draft Profile: Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas Has Enticing Skillset

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