NFL Draft guide: Oklahoma football edition
Isaiah Thomas DE
Tims’s Projection: 4th Round Pick
6 feet, 5 inches, 266 pounds
Thomas was somewhat of a late bloomer for Oklahoma. A defensive end with ideal size and length, who has continued to improve year over year at the college level. Thomas struggles some from a power perspective and does need to work on some leverage work. He has the potential to be somewhat of a boom or bust prospect.
He has pro bowl potential but could also flame out if he doesn’t find a way to improve from a strength stand point and add more fluidity to his game. Thomas has great instincts and feel and is slippery to tackles and sneaks around the edge. He is quick, and gets quicker once he is in the backfield, which allows him to finish a high percentage of his pressures.
Thomas was hurt at times playing out of position at Oklahoma, and the Sooners did him no favors this year playing him inside at times. It makes you wonder what Miguel Chavis and Brent Venables could have possibly gotten out of him if he chose to stay for his extra Covid year of eligibility. Thomas improved his stock with a quality run at the senior bowl.
At the Senior Bowl, he had a rep against future first round pick Trevor Penning, who got a fast start, and still got beat, forcing a hold.