Could Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas bolster the Jaguars' pass rush? Examining his fit with Jacksonville Jaguars' defense and draft strategy.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a formidable pass-rushing tandem in Josh Hines-Allen and the recently extended Travon Walker.
But the team's depth behind those two has been questioned, and the draft wouldn't be a bad place to add to it.
Jaguars Roundtable is checking out a range of prospects in the Class of 2026 that might mesh with Jacksonville's current roster, coaching staff, and the team's X's and O's strategies.
Oklahoma edge R Mason Thomas celebrates a game-sealing safety against Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Bryan Terry/Imagn Images)Offensive position players will be a focal point for the Jags, and NFL draft analyst Jeremy Ballreich's prospect profiles will feature offensive linemen Isaiah World out of Oregon and Penn State's Drew Shelton, as well as running back prospects Le'Veon Moss from Texas A&M, Mike Washington Jr. out of Arkansas, and Washington's Jonah Coleman. The Jaguars could also consider adding depth at tight end with either Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers or Oscar Delp out of Georgia, and at receiver with Southern Cal's Ja'Kobi Lane.
Defenders profiled in the series include elite linebackers the likes of Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels, Oregon's Bryce Boettcher, and Anthony Hill Jr. out of Texas, along with cornerbacks D'Angelo Ponds out of Indiana and Arizona State's Keith Abney, along with Cincinnati nose tackle Dontay Corleone.
In this draft profile, we shine a spotlight on Oklahoma edge R Mason Thomas.
Oklahoma edge R Mason Thomas celebrates during the team's first-round playoff game against Alabama on Dec. 19, 2026. (Bryan Terry/Imagn Images)A Great Year Cut Short
After bursting on the scene with nine sacks in 2024, Thomas was on his way to another great campaign in 2025. But a quad injury in early November cost Thomas the last three games of Oklahoma's regular season. Had Thomas played the full year, there's a good chance he would have exceeded 2024's production.
In 124 fewer snaps, the Fort Lauderdale native out of Cardinal Gibbons ended with just three fewer sacks (six) and six fewer pressures (28), and had four more quarterback hurries (19) than he did the year before, per Pro Football Focus. PFF also had Thomas with 19 stops compared to 15 in 2024.
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables talks with defensive lineman R Mason Thomas as the Sooners host Ole Miss at Gaylord Family & Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma on Oct. 25, 2025. (Brent Terry/Imagn Images)Thomas returned for the Sooners' first-round College Football Playoff game against Alabama, then worked out at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds, which is above average for a defensive end. Thomas tested well enough at the combine that he decided not to work out at Oklahoma's Pro Day.
Background & Oklahoma Career
Thomas played all four of his college football seasons at Oklahoma after a standout prep career at Cardinal Gibbons. Initially, the four-star recruit had been committed to Matt Campbell and Iowa State, but changed his commitment on Signing Day, being one of the first big recruiting gets of the Brent Venables era.
Thomas played in 10 games as a freshman, then nine as a sophomore, not getting a start in either season. He broke out in 2024, then by the end of his college career, was an All American.
Oklahoma edge R Mason Thomas runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine on Feb. 26, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)On-Field Strengths
A good first step is an asset for any defensive end, and Thomas has one.
At 6-foot-2, Thomas is slightly shorter than the average NFL defensive end, but his stature helps give him a bend that allows him to go under taller offensive tackles.
Thomas has also shown himself to be at his best late in games, which explains why OU fans called him "The Closer." For instance, his sack of Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold for a safety sealed a 24-17 Sooners win last September.
Areas for Improvement
Thomas' arms are 31 and 5/8 inches long, which is considered short for an NFL defensive end and could cause him problems against offensive tackles.
Thomas has also struggled in the tackling department, missing 17.4 percent of his tackles in 2025 and more than 27 percent in 2024.
Teams may also question whether Thomas will stay healthy. He missed three games in 2022 and four in 2023 with ankle sprains, and three this past season with a quad injury.
Oklahoma edge R Mason Thomas speaks with reporters at NFL combine on Feb. 25, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)Prospect Draft Position
The Mock Draft Database has Thomas as the No. 44 overall prospect and projects him to go in the second round. Jags defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's scheme emphasizes aggressiveness, and Thomas has plenty of it, with Pro Football Focus giving him a pass-rushing grade above 90 this past season.
The Jags' first selection is at No. 56 in the second round, so unless they want to trade up, Thomas might be gone by then.
ㅤ
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!