In their last two Super Bowl runs, the Kansas City Chiefs were much more of a defensive team than an offensive one, even with Patrick Mahomes at the helm. Steve Spagnuolo's unit did most of the heavy lifting.
That's why having such an underwhelming pass rush may have doomed this team's chances last season. Moreover, that's also why they took Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas, one of the most intriguing players in this class.
Thomas wasn't on the field for long in the preseason opening loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but he definitely made his presence felt. He collapsed the pocket multiple times and showcased his otherworldly athleticism early on.
The Chiefs may have found a true gem in R Mason Thomas
While he didn't record a stat, Thomas showed flashes of his strength and explosiveness. He pressured Ty Simpson and forced him to throw a bad pass to end the first half, going around the edge to easily get past the offensive tackle and nearly record his first career sack.
Standing at 6'2" and 240 pounds, R Mason Thomas isn't built like the average pass rusher. Nevertheless, he plays much bigger than his size, and with an elite get-off speed and acceleration, plus his impressive footwork and twitchiness, makes him an absolute nightmare once he turns the corner.
Thomas finished his collegiate career with 63 total pressures, 22 tackles for loss, 16.0 sacks, and 19 quarterback hits. He would've probably been gone in the first round in a class that wasn't so deep at the position, or if he were a couple of inches taller.
While he's not in the same caliber of prospect as guys like Micah Parsons and Abdul Carter, R Mason Thomas can probably give the Chiefs the same type of versatility. Given his size and twitchiness, he can line up at either outside linebacker or defensive end, depending on what Spagnuolo needs.
The Chiefs' pass-rushing unit left a lot to be desired last season, and George Karlaftis has plenty of catching up to do after signing such a big contract. As for Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the team might run out of patience with him if the former first-round pick doesn't step up or can't stay healthy.
As such, there should be a heavy dose of R Mason Thomas right out of the gate. Even if he's not a starter at first, he has enough potential to force Steve Spagnuolo's hand to get him on the field early and often.
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