With no premium pick, Denver’s priority is landing a player who can contribute immediately while also offering long-term value. The team isn’t lacking talent at the edge position, but a strategic move could bolster depth as they reshape their roster.
R Mason Thomas profiles as an undersized, high-impact edge at 6-2 and around 241 pounds, known for first-step quickness, bend, and explosive bursts off the line. He produced 9.0 sacks in 2024 and 6.5 sacks in 2025, leaving him with 17.5 career sacks and a track record of disruption. Scouts praise his ability to vary rush tempo and pursue the quarterback relentlessly.
Analysts have drawn comparisons to formerSooner Nik Bonitto, suggesting Thomas could slot into Denver’s productive pass-rush culture. The Broncos currently rely on Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper to anchor the front, with depth behind them including Dondrea Tillman and Que Robinson. A shift that moves fellow edge rusher Jonah Elliss to off-ball linebacker would further stress the depth at the position.
Denver holds the 62nd overall pick, which sits in the early portion of the second round, and the door remains open to trading up within the round for a player who fits this profile. Whether the Broncos would commit to such a move for a 2026 edge defender like Thomas remains uncertain.
In sum, Thomas’ combination of quickness, burst, and productive years positions him as a compelling late-first/early-second-round target for a Broncos team aiming to strengthen their pass rush without a first-round pick. His development could align with Denver’s goal of adding a versatile playmaker who helps immediate rotation and long-term edge depth.
