R Mason Thomas’ Senior Bowl Absence Raises Questions as NFL Draft Looms
As the 2026 NFL Draft inches closer, the spotlight is intensifying on edge rusher R Mason Thomas - and not necessarily in the way he would’ve hoped. The former Oklahoma defensive end had accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, a prime opportunity to boost his draft stock in front of scouts, coaches, and executives.
But when practices kicked off in Mobile, Alabama, Thomas was nowhere to be found. He's officially been removed from the Senior Bowl roster, and the reason for his absence remains unclear.
For a player hovering on the edge of the first round, this is a significant development.
Thomas has been a name to watch in early mock drafts, with projections placing him anywhere from the mid-teens to the early second round. A few outlets have been especially bullish - NFL Draft Countdown’s Paul Guillemette slotted him at No. 14 to the Ravens, while Brian Bosarge imagined a dream scenario for Oklahoma fans: Thomas joining former Sooner Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay as the 15th overall pick.
But those are outliers. Most projections have Thomas landing in the final 10 picks of the first round - if he sneaks in at all.
Others remain more conservative. Tankathon’s latest mock draft has Thomas coming off the board at No. 45 to Baltimore, and they’ve previously pegged him as high as No. 36 to the Raiders. ESPN’s Mel Kiper doesn’t have him in the first round either, and FanSided’s Cody Williams just dropped him from his latest first-round projection altogether.
What makes that drop more concerning is the company Thomas is keeping - or, more accurately, not keeping. Williams has five edge rushers going ahead of Thomas in the first round: Rueben Bain (Miami), David Bailey (Texas Tech), Keldric Faulk (Auburn), Cashius Howell (Texas A&M), and Akheem Mesidor (Miami).
None of those players are participating in the Senior Bowl either. That absence could’ve given Thomas a golden opportunity to stand out as the top edge rusher on the field.
Instead, he’s missing from the action.
The Senior Bowl isn’t just another exhibition. For fringe first-rounders like Thomas, it’s a proving ground - a chance to go toe-to-toe with other top prospects in front of NFL decision-makers.
It’s where buzz is built and draft boards shift. While the NFL Combine will still offer Thomas a stage to showcase his athleticism and measurables, the Senior Bowl would’ve provided something even more valuable: live reps against elite competition.
With the draft set for April 23, Thomas still has time to make his case. But every missed opportunity matters, especially in a class deep with edge talent. For now, the mystery surrounding his Senior Bowl absence only adds to the uncertainty about where - and when - he’ll hear his name called.