The Denver Broncos do not own a first-round pick in the 2026 draft. They are not expecting to move up with a trade to get back into the opening pass, either. However, the Broncos could still come away with the “perfect” prospect for them in R Mason Thomas.
Without a first-round pick, landing a player who can help now and in the future is key.
Denver is not without talent at Thomas’ edge defender position. However, they are planning a key change that figures to impact their depth.
R Mason Thomas Called ‘Perfect’ Draft Fit for Broncos
GettyR Mason Thomas #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners sacks Jackson Arnold #11 of the Auburn Tigers for a safety.
Thomas, whose full first name is indeed “R Mason,” drew a comparison to Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto. Bonitto is a fellow former Sooner. Bonitto was a former second-round pick and is a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time Second Team All-Pro.
“Denver has bigger needs than edge rusher but this fit feels too good to pass on,” USA Today’s Ayrton Ostly wrote on April 17. “Thomas is in a similar mold to Nik Bonitto as an undersized rusher (6-foot-2, 241 pounds) who thrives as an instinctual rusher. He’s bendy and explosive and could join the Broncos’ rotation off the edge and continue their reign as one of the most productive pass-rushing units in the NFL.”
Bonitto and bookend Jonathon Cooper are both signed through at least the 2028 season.
However, the Broncos have decided to try EDGE and 2024 third-round pick Jonah Elliss at off-ball linebacker this season.
The Broncos still have former UFL standout Dondrea Tillman and 2025 fourth-round pick Que Robinson behind Bonitto and Cooper. Still, the “loss” of Elliss to another position would thin out their depth up front.
Thomas took a step back from his 9.0-sack season in 2024 with 6.5 sacks in 2025.
He leaves school with 40 combined tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries.
“He gets beat up for being small and not long enough,” an unnamed NFC scouting director told NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, “but I think he’s going to be a nightmare for tall tackles because he can bend and he’s really explosive.”
R Mason Thomas’ Quickness Stands Out
GettyR Mason Thomas #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners sacks Darian Mensah #10 of the Tulane Green Wave.
The Broncos know that being undersized, as Thomas is, does not inherently mean a player cannot be impactful. Some draft talent evaluators are arguing just that in Mason’s case ahead of the 2026 draft.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Thomas ED10. Brugler also gave Thomas a second-round grade, underscoring the talent in this class and Thomas’ ceiling.
“Thomas is an undersized edge defender who combines first-step quickness with violent play strength and closing burst and never quits working to the football,” Brugler wrote in his annual “The Beast” draft guide. “His ability to vary his rush tempo leads to disruption and will help him find a meaningful role in the NFL.”
Zierlein compared Thomas to former Kansas City Chiefs first-round pick Dee Ford.
“Twitched-up rush linebacker whose lack of size and length at the point of attack could be offset by his rush talent,” Zierlein wrote. “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.
“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.”
The Broncos’ first pick of the draft is 62nd overall. However, the Broncos have left the door open to moving up within the round in a trade.
Whether the Broncos would do that to add a player like Thomas remains unclear.
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