R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
If the Bengals are not going to add to the pass rush in the first round, the second round has a few who could fill that role. Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas is not going to be a pick that excites Bengals fans due to a lack of productivity compared to the rest of his peers. However, he could fill a need and be a better pro than a college player.
At Oklahoma, Thomas was a regular member of the rotation before really taking over as a starter in 2024. That year, he posted 23 tackles, 12.5 tackles, nine sacks, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles, and two recovered fumbles, one of which was a touchdown.
This year, he added 26 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, a pass breakup, two forced fumbles, and a scoop-and-score.
R Mason Thomas | EDGE | OU
Explosive rush specialist w/ great 1st step & great high side track. + Ankle flexibility to tilt around the corner & hip bend to change levels. Great at turning speed into power; generates pop at impact.
Fights at PoA & solid backside pursuit vs run pic.twitter.com/JlgSd6ISv1
— Matt Lane (@Matty_KCSN) December 23, 2025
He is truly a pass-rush specialist, not unlike Trey Hendrickson. For reference, Hendrickson’s college numbers were similar, though he had one more productive year: 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks in 2014; 39 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks in 2015; 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks in 2016.
Thomas may not be the all-around EDGE guy Bengals fans want, but if they want to replace Hendrickson with a guy who can do the same, Thomas may be the answer. Throw him in there with Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart, and you can make some noise.
