Experts creating mock drafts ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23-25 apparently have no idea where former Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas could end up between the first and second rounds, but it seemed guaranteed he would at least be the first Sooner to hear his name called. But maybe not now as one draft analyst is losing faith in Thomas while gaining belief in another Sooner.
NFL.com's Chad Reuter did a lengthy four-round mock draft and predicted former OU defensive tackle Gracen Halton to go 52nd overall in the second round to the Green Bay Packers. Then, just two picks later, Reuter projected the Philadelphia Eagles to select Thomas with the 54th pick.
Gracen Halton continues rise ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
This situation would be similar to last year for the Sooners when linebacker Danny Stutsman went just six picks before safety Billy Bowman Jr. in the fourth round. Hopefully in 2026, though, Thomas and Halton not only go sooner, but a lot more Sooners get drafted afterward since it was silence for OU after Stutsman and Bowman were selected in 2025.
This latest mock draft was a double-edged sword for OU fans as Thomas was seriously disrespected, but Halton clearly gained a lot of respect.
Just this week, ESPN's Field Yates had Thomas going over a full round sooner to the Dallas Cowboys at 20th overall in the first round. Thomas has been a fringe first-round pick throughout the process. However, when he does fall to the second round, it's usually not far. Falling this low in this situation wouldn't really be bad for Thomas, though, considering he'd end up with a Super Bowl contender and on one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Halton, meanwhile, rocketed his stock after impressive showings at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. He proved to be one of the most athletic defensive tackles in the draft class during the NFL Combine, and that all of a sudden had Halton likely hearing his name called Day 2 instead of Day 3.