Patriots.com writer Mike Dussault laid out a scenario in which New England gives up picks 63 and 95 to move up to 48, targeting Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas. The proposed path also includes taking wide receiver Denzel Boston with the second-to-last pick of the opening round.
Dussault argues that if the Patriots want a player with Thomas’s upside (or similar options like Jacas or Moore), they’ll likely need to climb back into the second round. The objective is a dynamic pass-rusher who can contribute off the edge sooner and develop into a full-time contributor.
Thomas is praised for an explosive first step and sub-packaging rush ability that could translate quickly to sub-packages, with the potential to grow into a complete starter at the edge. He would need to add strength for three-down duties, but his upside is widely viewed as high.
While the trade may seem costly, giving up two prime picks for a high-upside edge could be justified by the Patriots’ need for dynamic athletes and greater front-line depth. The plan aligns with how the Seahawks leveraged versatile pressure players to control games, a model the Patriots appear to want to mirror.
New England’s edge-rush outlook suffered after losing K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency, leaving Milton Williams and Christian Barmore to anchor interior pressure. A true outside threat could complement those pieces, with analysts suggesting Thomas’s bend and speed fit well with a 3-4 front under the staff’s blitz-heavy approach.
With defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr emphasizing elaborate pressure schemes, adding a natural, high-end edge rusher would help sustain a versatile, aggressive defense while maintaining competitive relevance in a modern NFL landscape. The proposed move would reflect a broader strategy to balance immediate impact with long-term development at the position.
