KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs stayed on the defensive side of the ball and addressed a big team need on Friday night.
The Chiefs selected Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas in the second round (No. 40) of the NFL Draft after using both their first-round picks to shore up the defense by drafting cornerback Mansoor Delane sixth overall and Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods 29th overall.
The 6-foot-2, 249-pounder had 6.5 sacks last year in 10 games and nine sacks the year before with the Sooners. In four years with the Sooners, Thomas had 17 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss.
“If I can put on tape that I’m unpredictable that’s where it gets to be a field day for a defense end,” Thomas said. “When a tackle doesn’t know what you’re going to do next that’s when it becomes good.”
Thomas, who ran a 4.67 40-yard dash, said when he met with the Chiefs prior to the draft, they didn’t discuss whether he’d play as a defensive end or linebacker. Thomas has had some ankle and leg injuries, including a quad injury last season.
Thomas gives the Chiefs a much-needed pass rusher to go along with defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Karlaftis. Thomas said he didn’t expect to be drafted but the Chiefs, but now that he’s on the team, he’s wanting to learn about their winning culture.
“It’s the tradition, a winning program, how they do it, what they do,” Thomas said. “I’m excited to know the ins and outs of what they do.”
