The Seattle Seahawks could address the EDGE rusher position in the upcoming draft. DeMarcus Lawrence turns 34 in April and has two years remaining on his contract after pondering retirement this offseason. Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall are both entering a contract year, though the front office is not expected to touch Nwosu’s contract, while Hall could be extended. Additionally, their depth was weakened after Boye Mafe joined the Cincinnati Bengals.
Seattle Seahawks host an undersized but talented SEC pass rusher
USATSI 27319523 scaled
Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
According to Arye Pulli of Sports Illustrated, the Seahawks will host R. Mason Thomas for a 30-visit. He is considered a talented pass rusher with high upside, as shown by his 20% pass-rush win rate in 2025 and 15.5 sacks over the past two seasons. However, there are a few concerns with Thomas, as he is undersized at 6-foot-2, 241 pounds with 31 5/8-inch arms, which are below the ideal 33 inches, and he is not the strongest run defender.
Some analysts have mocked him as a late-first- early second-round pick.
Oklahoma pass-rusher R. Mason Thomas has upcoming pre-draft visits with the #Dolphins and #Seahawks.
Thomas, who is expected to be selected early on Day 2, has also visited the following teams, source says:
🏈 Browns
🏈 Buccaneers
🏈 Patriots pic.twitter.com/2p8vAnnxXJ
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) April 7, 2026
Here’s a quick review of his past two seasons
USATSI 27418299 168400517 lowres
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables talks with Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Ole Miss Rebels at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. Ole Miss won 34-26.
R. Mason Thomas took over as the full-time starting EDGE rusher in 2024 after a rotational role in his first two seasons. Thomas enjoyed a strong junior campaign, setting career highs in tackles for loss, pressures, and sacks while leading the team in the latter, and earning Second-Team All-SEC honors. He recorded 23 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 35 pressures, nine sacks, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and two forced fumbles across 13 games and 11 starts.
R. Mason Thomas was on his way to surpassing his junior production in his senior season, but a soft-tissue injury derailed his chances. He recorded 26 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 28 pressures, 6.5 sacks, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and two forced fumbles across ten games and nine starts. Thomas missed three and a half games due to a quad injury. His efforts earned him a First-Team All-SEC selection.
Thomas wrapped up his four-year stint at Oklahoma, totaling 65 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, two fumble recoveries for a touchdown, and four forced fumbles across 42 games and 20 starts.
Lance Zierlein
Mar 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NFL Network Draft media analyst Lance Zierlein during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
“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.”
He projects as an average starter.