R Mason Thomas sacked the quarterback for a safety in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma's win over Auburn, and that play tells you everything you need to know about why Eliot Wolf's scouting department has him on the board. The edge rusher from Norman isn't just padding stats—he's making winning plays when it matters, when the game is tight and the offense is desperate. That's the kind of mentality Mike Vrabel wants on his defensive line.
Here's the situation: the Patriots currently have Niko Lalos and Milton Williams as their primary edge presence, with Dre'Mont Jones sliding between end and tackle. That's functional, not inspiring. Thomas brings the kind of high-motor, disruptive skill set that fits what Vrabel has built defensively. He hunted that safety in crunch time. He wasn't just rushing; he was hunting. That distinction matters at the NFL level.
From a scheme fit perspective, Thomas plays fast and violent—he's not trying to dance around offensive linemen. He attacks downhill and uses his length to shed blocks. In a Vrabel system that values gap integrity and disruption over pure sack totals, Thomas' tape suggests he can hold his own. He won't necessarily light up the stat sheet in year one, but he'll make plays that help you win close games.
The draft class this year is deep at edge, which means the Patriots could wait until the middle rounds if they're patient. Wolf's track record suggests he won't overpay for the position early. But if Thomas is still available when New England picks in Day 2, pulling the trigger makes sense. You need depth at edge. You need young, hungry players who understand their assignment. Thomas checks both boxes. He's not a can't-miss prospect—this isn't hyperbole season. But he's a legitimate, productive college player who does the fundamentals right, and in today's cap-constrained NFL, that's exactly the profile you're hunting in the draft.