Chiefs took calculated risk on R Mason Thomas to fix pass rush

The Kansas City Chiefs came into the second day of the draft with just one pick in the second and third rounds. Despite a lot of rumors that circulated about the Chiefs potentially trading down to the start of the second day of the draft, the Chiefs elected to stick and pick. Brett Veach and his staff chose to fill one of the team's biggest needs with defensive end R. Mason Thomas out of Oklahoma.

Thomas does not fit the mold of what the Chiefs often look for at defensive end, as he is more of an undersized speed rusher. He brings a new skill set to the Chiefs' defensive line. With the Sooners, Thomas logged nine sacks in 2024 and then 6.5 sacks this season, proving an ability to rush the passer at an extremely high level.

RMT has a smaller frame, at 6-2, 240 lbs. He brings a compact build off the edge, allowing him to use his lower half to generate power. He explodes off the line of scrimmage and is a relentless player whose motor never stops as he looks to make plays on the ball. The Chiefs made a clear effort to add more burst and speed to their defense this offseason, and Thomas brings just that.

The concern with Thomas is very simple. His fit in the defense is unique, as RMT saw most of his success as a wide pass rusher with a lot of speed and quickness around the edge. He beats tackles to the spot and fights his way back to the quarterback, but he is not a typical fit in a Chiefs even-front defense.

Prior to the NFL Draft Combine, Thomas was widely seen as a top prospect, but a smaller frame combined with less burst than many expected took a hit on his stock. For a player of RMT's size, you would expect slightly more speed and explosiveness than he showed, and that has raised some concerns among draft experts across the community. He has also struggled with injuries to his lower body over the last couple of seasons, something that the Chiefs have closely monitored throughout the offseason.

But the skills are there for Thomas to be a very productive pass rusher in the NFL. His compact frame allows him to generate more power than you would expect from someone who is only 6-2, and despite his short arm length, he can work into the chest of offensive tackles. When he is able to get into the pads, the rep is over, as his smaller build allows him to forklift opposing offensive linemen off their spot and back into the quarterback.

The biggest question for Thomas in Kansas City will be discipline in the run game and consistency. There is little to no doubt that he will be able to come in on third downs and be one of the Chiefs' best pass rushers on the roster. But if he wants to be an every-down player in the NFL, he will need more consistency against the run.

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