What's been clear based on the Kansas City Chiefs' offseason moves is that they wanted to get younger, faster, and more explosive on the defensive side of the ball. It was due time for a change, and after a 6-11 season, it was all too apparent that Steve Spagnuolo's unit needed an influx of young, ascending athletes.
One of those added players that encapsulates every one of those attributes is second-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, R Mason Thomas. The 21-year-old out of Oklahoma jumps off the screen when you watch him with his incredibly explosive first step, his twitchiness, and his ability to not slow down his pass-rush speed when bending around an offensive tackle.
The 6'2", 240 lb Thomas is a 180-degree turn on the typical Spags edge-rushing prototypes. He's a smaller frame than what the Chiefs usually prefer, but he also provides a different kind of play style that could pair very well with a George Karlaftis, who is more of a power-based rusher. In fact, the Chiefs fans weren't the only ones enamored with the addition of Thomas. His former Head Coach at Oklahoma, Brent Venables, had high praise for Thomas during the University's media day.
"That was a great pick. He's gonna fit tremendously well with Spags' defense," said Venables. "He's a fantastic football player. He's incredibly explosive, one of the most explosive players that we've coached. He's got tremendous instincts at rushing the passer. But overall he's not just a pass-rusher; he's a physical guy who plays much bigger than his stature. He can play the run, sets hard edges. He cares about his teammates, selfless guy. He's gonna gonna help build on that wonderful culture that Coach Reid and that staff have already established in Kansas City."
Sooner's head coach had no shortage of good things to say about the Chiefs second round pick
Thomas played all four of his collegiate seasons at OU, his final two in a true starting role, where he flourished. In 23 games, Thomas posted 15.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and a pair of defensive touchdowns. Those are incredible numbers, especially in a conference like the SEC.
It's hard to say how much playing time Thomas will see during his rookie season, but it's fair to say the door is nearly wide open for however many snaps the coaches trust him to play. While Karlaftis rightfully remains one of the team's starting edges, there is a vacancy to be filled with the loss of both Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu. Second-year man Ashton Gillotte progressed as his rookie season went on, but his play style is very similar to Karlaftis, which is why Thomas seeing a heavy amount of snaps would be smart.
Another interesting facet to Thomas is how versatile he can be because of his otherworldly athletic traits. KC has two entrenched starting linebackers in Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill, but a lot of youth and uncertainty behind them. Who's to say that on some third downs, Spagnuolo, being the mastermind that he is, doesn't drop Thomas back into coverage every now and then? He's got the size to cover most of today's tight ends and the quickness to keep up with a running back.
All in all, Thomas was one of my favorite Chiefs picks of this year's draft, because I can see him working out in multiple positions in a variety of ways. His having a solid rookie season might be all the Chiefs need to return to their past defensive dominance of 2022 and '23.
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