**R Mason Thomas, DE**
**School:** Oklahoma | **Conference:** SEC
**College Experience:** Senior | **Age:** 21
**Height / Weight:** 6’2” / 241 lbs
**Projected Draft Status:** 2nd-3rd Round
**Player Comparison:** Nik Bonitto
The son of a University of Florida football player, R Mason Thomas was a superb high school athlete. He competed in the 100m, 200m, and 400m on the track. On the football field, Thomas was incredibly productive. He had 109 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and an interception in his last two years of high school, years that his high school won state titles. He initially chose to play at Iowa State, but flipped to Oklahoma, choosing it over Miami, Indiana, South Carolina, and others.
Thomas saw action as a true freshman, but was slowed by a hamstring injury that caused him to miss three games. He had a larger role his sophomore year as a rotational defensive end, but he only had modest production due to missing four games with an ankle injury. Fully recovered for his junior season, R Mason Thomas had a breakout year. He played in all 13 games and earned All-SEC honors after leading the team in sacks and tackles for a loss.
Primed to build off a strong junior season, Thomas’s senior campaign got off to a slow start. He didn’t get his first sack until the fourth game of the season. He was more productive from there, but missed the last three games of the regular season with a quad injury before returning for the College Football Playoff loss against Alabama. Thomas ended his time at Oklahoma being named All-American and All-SEC.
* Shorter, compact rusher whose size helps create leverage
* Heavy hands with the power to stun blockers
* Speed rusher who can go around tackles and convert speed to power
* Uses several pass rush moves and counters to get to the QB
* Great motor with closing speed
* Can struggle getting off blocks because of arm length (31 5/8”)
* Occasionally gets too upright at the snap, giving up leverage
* Needs to develop lower body strength to hold up against the run
* Rarely asked to drop into coverage and work in space
* Struggled with injuries throughout his career
While talent off the edge has to be a priority for the Commanders, it is possible that they get help in free agency or via a trade. If that happens, or if the pass rushers go quickly, the team might go in a different direction with its first-round pick. That shouldn’t stop the team from looking for players that can rush the passer, stop the run, or drop into coverage in Daronte Jones’ defense.
R Mason Thomas is a prospect the team should keep their eye on with their third-round pick if he makes it there. Despite being undersized for a 4-3 DE (although, I think he dropped weight to run at the Combine), he held up well at the position for the Sooners while showing he could rush from various alignments. That could be a plus for him if the Commanders use more 3-4 looks on defense this year. The athleticism he uses to rush the passer could translate to playing in space if asked to do that. My biggest concern is his injury history. He only put together one season without missing games because of lower-body injuries. If the Commanders are comfortable with the medical, they could add a promising pass rusher to the team on Day 2 of the draft.