The Kansas City Chiefs selected Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas with their 40th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Thomas played his entire four-year collegiate career with the Sooners. He broke out during his junior season in 2024, recording 23 total tackles (12.5 for loss), nine sacks, and two forced fumbles, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors. Thomas followed that up with 26 tackles (9.5 for loss), 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2025 as a senior, earning First-Time All-SEC honors.
R Mason Thomas Is a Change in What Kansas City Chiefs Typically Utilize at DE
GettyEDGE R Mason Thomas
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has a reputation for wanting his defensive ends to be big guys, typically ranging between 265-280 pounds. He values DEs who can set the edge against the run and play with a powerful approach.
Thomas is not that. He weighs in at 241 pounds, and speed is the name of his game. He has a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and can whip around offensive tackles. Many experts believed Thomas would fit best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but Spagnuolo has always deployed a 4-3 front throughout his long coaching career.
That makes Thomas a very surprising pick for Kansas City. The Chiefs likely would not have taken him without Spagnuolo signing off, so he must have a plan for him. One thing that probably helped Thomas’ case is that he is actually very good against the run despite his size. He plays with a high motor and has great closing speed.
Perhaps Spagnuolo plans to be more multiple with his defensive front moving forward. We could see more Wide 9 fronts, which would benefit Thomas’ speed coming off the edge. Don’t dismiss the possibility of the Chiefs adding another free agent veteran pass rusher (Cam Jordan?) to take some pressure off of Thomas so he can take time to develop.
Chiefs Go Defense With First 3 Picks of 2026 NFL Draft
GettyChiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo
Kansas City is clearly committed to getting its defense turned around sooner rather than later. It selected cornerback Mansoor Delane in the first round, trading from No. 9 to 6 to get him. Delane is expected to be a starter right off the bat, and has All-Pro upside. Coach Andy Reid compared him to Trent McDuffie, who Delane will be replacing.
“Mansoor’s a little big bigger, he’s a little bit taller,” Reid said. “But, both of them are physical guys. McDuffie proved that he can do it at this level. This kid (Delane) coming in, he’s got to do that part. But, their traits in college look similar — the quick feet, the plant and drive, eliminating excess steps, being able to play man coverage, getting up on you and pressing on you, and ball skills.”
The Chiefs then selected defensive tackle Peter Woods with the 29th overall pick. Woods will have the opportunity to start next to star Chris Jones, but he’ll have competition from Omarr Norman-Lott and Khyiris Tonga. Reid gave Woods a big-time comparison as well, liking him to NFL legend Aaron Donald.
“He gives you that quickness,” Reid said of Woods. “I think that’s what he gives you, that quickness. You can say Aaron Donald-y type quick. Well, he’s not Aaron Donald yet. That’s a good challenge for him. But he has that ability inside, and you’re seeing in the league now guys that maybe aren’t the biggest guys, but they’re extremely quick and have great body control and can rush the passer. Shortest distance to the quarterback are those dudes right in there. He gives you a little bit of that, and we were looking for that, and he’s a great kid.”
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