{"id":868732,"date":"2026-04-17T23:12:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T23:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/868732\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T23:12:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T23:12:31","slug":"sooners-r-mason-thomas-deemed-ideal-draft-fit-for-broncos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/868732\/","title":{"rendered":"Sooners\u2019 R Mason Thomas Deemed Ideal Draft Fit for Broncos"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Nik\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Nik Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack against the Chicago Bears.<\/p>\n

The Denver Broncos<\/a> do not own a first-round pick in the 2026 draft. They are not expecting to move up with a trade to get back into the opening pass, either. However, the Broncos could still come away with the \u201cperfect\u201d prospect for them in R Mason Thomas<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Without a first-round pick, landing a player who can help now and in the future is key.<\/p>\n

Denver is not without talent at Thomas\u2019 edge defender position. However, they are planning a key change that figures to impact their depth.<\/p>\n

R Mason Thomas Called \u2018Perfect\u2019 Draft Fit for Broncos\"R<\/p>\n

GettyR Mason Thomas #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners sacks Jackson Arnold #11 of the Auburn Tigers<\/a> for a safety.<\/p>\n

Thomas, whose full first name<\/a> is indeed \u201cR Mason,\u201d drew a comparison to Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto<\/a>. Bonitto is a fellow former Sooner. Bonitto was a former second-round pick and is a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time Second Team All-Pro.<\/p>\n

\u201cDenver has bigger needs than edge rusher but this fit feels too good to pass on,\u201d USA Today\u2019s Ayrton Ostly wrote<\/a> on April 17. \u201cThomas is in a similar mold to Nik Bonitto as an undersized rusher (6-foot-2, 241 pounds) who thrives as an instinctual rusher. He\u2019s bendy and explosive and could join the Broncos\u2019 rotation off the edge and continue their reign as one of the most productive pass-rushing units in the NFL<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bonitto and bookend Jonathon Cooper<\/a> are both signed<\/a> through at least the 2028 season.<\/p>\n

However, the Broncos have decided to try EDGE and 2024 third-round pick Jonah Elliss<\/a> at off-ball linebacker this season.<\/p>\n

The Broncos still have former UFL standout Dondrea Tillman<\/a> and 2025 fourth-round pick Que Robinson<\/a> behind Bonitto and Cooper. Still, the \u201closs\u201d of Elliss to another position would thin out their depth up front.<\/p>\n

Thomas took a step back from his 9.0-sack season in 2024 with 6.5 sacks in 2025.<\/p>\n

He leaves school with 40 combined tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe gets beat up for being small and not long enough,\u201d an unnamed NFC scouting director told NFL.com\u2019s Lance Zierlein<\/a>, \u201cbut I think he\u2019s going to be a nightmare for tall tackles because he can bend and he\u2019s really explosive.\u201d<\/p>\n

R Mason Thomas\u2019 Quickness Stands Out\"R<\/p>\n

GettyR Mason Thomas #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners sacks Darian Mensah #10 of the Tulane Green Wave.<\/p>\n

The Broncos know that being undersized, as Thomas is, does not inherently mean a player cannot be impactful. Some draft talent evaluators are arguing just that in Mason\u2019s case ahead of the 2026 draft.<\/p>\n

The Athletic\u2019s Dane Brugler ranked Thomas ED10. Brugler also gave Thomas a second-round grade, underscoring the talent in this class and Thomas\u2019 ceiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cThomas is an undersized edge defender who combines first-step quickness with violent play strength and closing burst and never quits working to the football,\u201d Brugler wrote<\/a> in his annual \u201cThe Beast\u201d draft guide. \u201cHis ability to vary his rush tempo leads to disruption and will help him find a meaningful role in the NFL.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zierlein compared Thomas to former Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> first-round pick Dee Ford<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwitched-up rush linebacker whose lack of size and length at the point of attack could be offset by his rush talent,\u201d Zierlein wrote<\/a>. \u201cHas added good mass over the years but still gets engulfed and displaced by big, downhill blockers. He\u2019s more dangerous on the move, slipping into gaps and disrupting edges before they\u2019re set. He\u2019s an explosive speed rusher with the ability to shave the edge tightly or create surprising push with leverage and speed-to-power conversion.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeeds 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Broncos\u2019 first pick of the draft is 62nd overall. However, the Broncos have left the door open to moving up within the round in a trade.<\/p>\n

Whether the Broncos would do that to add a player like Thomas remains unclear.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJosh Buckhalter<\/a> covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Broncos\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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