Former Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas could be the 50th Sooner ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, at least according to ESPN's NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.
With the NFL Scouting Combine underway this week in Indianapolis, Kiper on Tuesday released his second mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Thomas has been fluctuating between a first- or second-round prospect depending on the draft expert, but before the combine shakes things up, Kiper projects Thomas to go 31st overall to the New England Patriots, who are coming off a Super Bowl appearance.
R Mason Thomas surging into first round of 2026 NFL Draft after Mel Kiper's latest mock draft ahead of NFL Combine
"As they try to get back to the Super Bowl with a talented roster, the Patriots could use another solid edge rusher or two," Kiper wrote. "Thomas can get offensive tackles leaning and then beat them with either speed or power. He uses his hands well and shows good bend off the edge. He had 15.5 sacks over the past two years. K'Lavon Chaisson is hitting free agency, so New England would love to have someone like Thomas getting after the quarterback."
Despite missing the last three games of the 2025 regular season, Thomas was still second on his team with 6.5 sacks as a senior. Fellow defensive end Taylor Wein didn't even surpass Thomas in the stat until getting a sack against Alabama in the College Football Playoff in the Sooners' final game of the year. In the end, Wein had half a sack more than Thomas while playing in three more games.
Thomas also tallied 26 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, one pass deflection, two forced fumbles and returned a fumble for a touchdown, which was the play he was injured during. Even after missing time, Thomas was still named First-Team All-SEC and was also Second-Team All-SEC in 2024. He finished his OU career with 42 career games and 20 starts.
R Mason Thomas is one of my “no matter what” prospects in this draft. My 15th overall player - lots of Harold Landry vibes to his game. pic.twitter.com/nORIWRynpw
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTuls) February 14, 2026
Kiper must have been watching film on Thomas, because he had Thomas going in the second round in his last mock draft in January. Thomas hasn't been in front of any scouts between now and then after not participating in the Senior Bowl despite accepting an invite. An impressive showing at the Senior Bowl could had solidified Thomas as a first-round pick, but at least based on Kiper's latest decision, Thomas' absence didn't hurt his stock any. Now, the NFL Combine is Thomas' greatest opportunity to prove he's a first-round talent.
If Kiper is correct in his draft analysis, Thomas would be the 50th OU player to go in the first round of the NFL Draft and first since offensive lineman Tyler Guyton went 29th overall to the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. That would help make up for OU's disappointing draft showing last year as no Sooner heard their name called until Day 3, when linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman Jr. both finally went picks apart in the fourth round.