KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Whether he lines up as an edge rusher or linebacker, Chiefs’ second-round pick R Mason Thomas plans to make an impact.
The Chiefs drafted Thomas out of Oklahoma in last month’s NFL Draft as the 40th pick overall. At 240 pounds, he’s not the typical defensive end coach Steve Spagnuolo has used on the edge to rush the passer. But Thomas has a quick first step that the Chiefs feel will translate to the pros.
“That’s the most important thing about my game, getting off the ball,” Thomas said during last week’s rookie minicamp. “You got to rip it. Track kind of helped me with it, too. The start, the stance, how it looked like. And then the coaches here.”
Thomas had 17 sacks in four seasons with the Sooners. And though he’s still early in his NFL career, he’s noticed one big change between the college game and the NFL.
“I just got to go do it,” Thomas said. “The tackles here are bigger and more technical. They’re pros, but at the end of the day you still have to stick your nose in their chest.”
Thomas had 6.5 sacks in 10 games last year for the Sooners and had nine sacks the year before. Thomas is also a little unique in today’s game, as he played all four years at Oklahoma.
“I love Oklahoma,” Thomas said. “I didn’t feel like I needed to leave. It was either three years and done or four years and done.”
Thomas, who wore No. 32 with the Sooners, is No. 34 with the Chiefs, though he said he’s still open to getting a different number. After a whirlwind week of getting drafted and reporting to rookie camp, Thomas said the pace has slowed down a little and he’s glad to be in Kansas City and a member of the Chiefs.
“It’s a lot like Oklahoma,” Thomas said. “Kansas City’s not too far from Oklahoma. And you definitely see all the trophies, the Lombardis. And it’s definitely a program that’s a dynasty, for sure.”
