Grading the Chiefs’ pick of R Mason Thomas at No. 40 in the NFL Draft

Rocky Magana

The Chiefs took an undersized situational pass rusher in R Mason Thomas. Like the other players the team has taken in this draft, Thomas isn’t a bad player! But how he fits with this Chiefs defense is the big question. Thomas is more of a 3-4 outside linebacker, third-down pass rusher when he plays for a team that is 4-3 at its foundation, like Kansas City. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo expects his defensive ends to set the edge and hold up to overpower NFL tackles in one-on-one scenarios. Out of the gate, Thomas would be a third-down only situational pass rusher who could add some juice and free up defensive tackle Chris Jones to play inside more on crucial pass downs. But the question remains, as it has with every pick: did the Chiefs pick the best player available to them? I don’t think the answer is yes here. I would have taken Missouri defensive end Zion Young, Gabe Jacas from Illinois, or Derrick Moore from Michgan over Thomas just because of their three-down ability and stronger fit, while also being proficient pass rushers. **Grade:** B-

Ron Kopp Jr.

When the name of the Chiefs’ pick next to “EDGE” was “R Mason Thomas” rather than “Zion Young” or “Gabe Jacas,” I was truly shocked. The defensive end position in Kansas City has always had a long, powerful mold under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and the personnel staff has rarely strayed from Spags’ vision for his edge defenders. When the front office has, it felt like the coaching staff was unwilling to adjust, like not finding a way to utilize edge rusher Josh Uche during his time in Kansas City, or the lack of edge-rushing opportunities for linebacker Leo Chenal despite proving to play from the trenches on run plays. At 6 feet 2 inches tall and 241 pounds with 31 3/4-inch arms, R Mason Thomas is a changeup, and it’s the pitch the Chiefs’ pass rush has been missing for years. The team’s edge-rushing group is still thin, but the ceiling of its impact rose with the addition of a speed-first pass rusher. The depth can be filled out by veterans. **Grade:** B+