The Kansas City Chiefs needed to add some speed off the edge. Defensive ends Ashton Gillotte and George Karlaftis offer value in run defense and using their power to push the pocket, but Steve Spagnuolo’s unit lacked a closer capable of producing game-altering sacks late in contests. Enter Oklahoma Sooners pass rushing star R Mason Thomas.
The Chiefs selected Thomas with the 40th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the last member of their top 100 selections in a defensive-heavy haul. Thomas saw limited playing time in 2025 due to a quad injury, but he served as a team captain and earned First Team All-SEC and FWAA Second Team All-American honors.
Despite not being fully healthy, Thomas applied pressure on 14.6% of his pass rush attempts in 2025. Some of his career highlights include beating LSU left tackle Will Campbell for a bone-rattling sack on Garrett Nussmeier in 2024, forcing a Jalen Milroe interception with a quarterback hit to end the game against Alabama in 2024 and ending this past year’s one-score game against Auburn with a late fourth quarter safety.
Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas missed the first half against Auburn because of a Week 3 targeting call. He didn't disappoint in his return to action in the second half. Thomas had two sacks, including a game-ending safety. #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2026 #2026NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/K8LoDTUGiC
Earlier this month, 34 analysts provided insights on some of their favorite prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. The massive media collaboration included some of the most popular names in the space. CBS Sports’ JP Acosta elected to highlight Thomas. Below is Acosta’s pre-draft analysis of Kansas City’s second round selection.
“R Mason Thomas is one of the coolest prospects in this edge class to me. He’s not going to win with prototypical size or length measurements, but he has one of the quickest first steps in the entire class and bends at a very high level. He’s been productive against SEC opponents and has played his best against big time competition. His ghost move is up there as one of the best single moves a prospect can use in the class. I also love his motor; despite being undersized, he gives tight ends all they can handle in the run game, and you can’t run away from him. I feel strongly about Thomas being a quality pass rusher in the NFL.”
Acosta also praised Thomas earlier in the year as one of his favorite players in the class.
Thomas’ former Oklahoma teammate, fourth round defensive tackle Gracen Halton, offered the following response when asked about the pass rusher during a Senior Bowl post-practice interview.
San Francisco 49ers 4th round pick Gracen Halton talks about former Oklahoma Sooners teammate R Mason Thomas, who the Kansas City Chiefs selected in the 2nd round of the 2026 NFL Draft. #NFLDraft #KansasCityChiefs #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/jukDw9WS4n
“That’s a dog. His mindset is crazy. He’s got that mindset to go attack, no matter what…You’ve seen how he plays. He plays with aggression.”
Thomas projects as an early-career rotational contributor on passing downs who could develop his game to eventually play a role similar to fellow Sooners legend and current Denver Broncos Pro Bowler, Nik Bonitto.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: R Mason Thomas praised by NFL analyst before selection by Chiefs