NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Oklahoma Edge R Mason Thomas

Matt HolderNov 9, 2025

R Mason Thomas is a twitched-up pass rusher who combines athleticism, physicality and scrappiness to be very good at turning speed-to-power and getting to the quarterback. These traits should help the 6'2", 241-pound edge defender become a productive third-down rusher at the next level despite lacking NFL size and length.

Thomas entered Oklahoma as a 4-star recruit in the 2022 class but played in a limited role as a true freshman and sophomore, due in part to missing seven games with a high-ankle sprain on each ankle during those seasons.

With a clean bill of health in 2024, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida native burst onto the scene by becoming a regular starter and collecting nine sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss to earn second-team All-SEC honors. He's picked up where he left off this season.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Where He Wins

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- Impressive athlete with good quickness/twitch, acceleration and change of direction skills.

- Has a good get-off and burst off the line of scrimmage to threaten offensive tackles with speed around the edge.

- Change-of-direction skills, suddenness and physicality make him very good at turning speed to power as a pass-rusher. Also, Thomas keeps his feet moving through contact to collapse the pocket against offensive tackles.

- Good bend and angles as a pass-rusher to take efficient paths to the quarterback.

- Has shown a solid ghost rush as a counter move to his ability to turn speed to power.

- Non-stop pass-rush motor with a decent spin move to get back in the picture and either force quarterbacks out of the pocket or pickup coverage sacks.

- Against the run, he takes on blocks with physicality and low pad level to gain a leverage advatange.

- Has solid upper body strength to get some extension against blocks from weaker offensive tackles.

Areas of Improvement

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- Sawed-off frame and has short arms.

- Lack of arm length limits how much extension he can get on blocks, making it difficult for him to escape or shed.

- Combined with often being late and inaccurate with his hands, the shorter arms often allow offensive tackles to make the first significant contact and get into his body when rushing the passer.

- Subpar lower body strength to anchor against the run, especially when taking on down blocks or combos. Thomas is going to struggle setting the edge against better/stronger competition in the NFL.

- Also, the lower body strength issues will lead to him getting washed inside when offensive tackles can stay on balance when he tries to turn speed to power.

- Injury history with a high-ankle sprain in each ankle is concerning.

Grade, Rank, and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 7.5 (Key Contributor — 2nd Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Tuli Tuipulotu, USC (7.5 in 2023), Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State (7.5 in 2023), Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss (7.5 in 2025)

OVERALL RANK: 58

POSITION RANK: EDGE9

PRO COMPARISON: Shades of Nik Bonitto