Regarding Thomas, the 6’2”, 249 pound senior pass rusher for the Sooners, just recorded 26 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, a pass defensed, a fumble recovery (*returned for a touchdown), and 2 forced fumbles during 10 games this past season—earning First-Team All-SEC honors.

Twitched-up rush linebacker whose lack of size and length at the point of attack could be offset by his rush talent. Thomas has added good mass over the years but still gets engulfed and displaced by big, downhill blockers. He’s more dangerous on the move, slipping into gaps and disrupting edges before they’re set. He’s an explosive speed rusher with the ability to shave the edge tightly or create surprising push with leverage and speed-to-power conversion. He needs to improve his hand work to create openings and counter long, athletic tackles with quick pass slides. Thomas should benefit from a wider alignment as an odd-front edge with the potential to earn a starting job within his first two seasons.

Rank. 35

Oklahoma · Edge · Senior

R Mason Thomas

Thomas is an instinctive and physical edge defender. He lacks ideal height/length for the position, but he is a difference-maker. As a pass rusher, he covers a lot of ground with his first three steps and has multiple ways to win. A widen/bull rush and swipe-and-rip are some of his favorite moves. He draws a lot of attention from extra blockers and still manages to disrupt the passer. Against the run, his lack of length wasn’t an issue in the games I studied. He’s firm at the point of attack and refuses to stay blocked. He plays with maniacal energy and effort. He was asked to drop into coverage at times and looked stiff in his change of direction. Overall, Thomas doesn’t fit the prototype, but I believe he’ll be a valuable NFL starter right away.

Opposite Latu at defensive end, the Colts face some question marks as both former fellow first round pick Kwity Paye and veteran Samson Ebukam are set to become league free agents along the edge.

The Colts haven’t had much success drafting twitchy pass rushers in the early rounds of the NFL Draft under longtime general manager Chris Ballard, but maybe R Mason Thomas will be different this time around. One would think by just the pure law of averages and odds that the Colts would finally hit on one of these guys early.