The Jacksonville Jaguars put together a well-rounded roster in 2025. Already, they had a solid core, and general manager James Gladstone put the finishing touches. However, the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills showed that their defensive front could use upgrades, as the Jags failed to pressure quarterback Josh Allen.
Surprisingly, Gladstone opted not to address the interior defensive trenches in free agency, so he'll have to get it done in the 2026 NFL Draft. And while this isn't a great year to find a defensive tackle, there still will be a few appealing options. On the other hand, if Jacksonville wants to add a pass rusher, an NFL analyst has an intriguing suggestion.
The Jaguars must keep tabs on R Mason Thomas in Round 2
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports wrote about 20 prospects he's higher than most scouts ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. He put R Mason Thomas at the top of the list, arguing that the former Oklahoma Sooner has dealt with injuries each of the past three years but could turn out to be one of the top pass rushers from his class.
"There have been some injury issues during his career, forcing him to miss time in each of the past three seasons," Prisco wrote. "He missed three games last season with a hamstring injury. But watching the play in which he hurt his hamstring will only draw you to him even more."
Prisco praises Mason Thomas for his toughness, citing a game in which he had a fumbled return for a touchdown despite the fact that he got hurt.
"It came against Tennessee when he picked up a fumble and raced 71 yards for a touchdown, looking like a running back breaking away in the field. You can see on the play where he pulls up yet finishes for the score. That matters," Prisco wrote.
Later, Prisco argues that it wouldn't shock him to see Mason Thomas become one of the top pass rushers in this class, even though he's projected to go in the second round," That's why he's on this steam. He's my guy in this draft."
While Prisco doesn't name any team as a fit for Mason Thomas, he later made an apperance on Duval Rundown and once again heaped praise on him, naming him when discussing just how deep this year's class of pass rushers is.
"Yes, absolutely. I think you're going to get down 15 deep, and you're going to get guys who are going to be contributors, rushing the passer. Or I really believe that, for example, R Mason Thomas, I love him, might end up being the captain of my better-than team. Even though there's a potential for him to be a first-round pick. I think he should be a top 15 pick. You could go on and on."
Below is Prisco's appearance on 1010 XL. His assessment of R Mason Thomas is the first topic they discuss.
Like most analysts, Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports projects Mason Thomas to go in the second round, arguing that his size (6'2", 249 pounds) could hold him back in the NFL.
Would it make sense for the Jaguars to draft R Mason Thomas?
Every year, there's a player who goes before he's projected. R Mason Thomas is promising enough to get the nod, but there's a higher chance he'll be drafted in the second round, as the consensus expects. And if he's available around pick No. 40, the Jags should consider moving up to select him.
Granted, the interior defensive line is a more pressing need than the pass rush, but Jacksonville can afford to go "the best player available." The team's brass could easily select Mason Thomas in Round 2 and add a defensive tackle in Round 3.
Of course, there's also a chance another club will swoop in and take Mason Thomas before the Jags can do anything. Either way, he's worth taking a flyer on. The silver lining if Jacksonville misses out on him is that this is a deep pass rush class, so they could easily take a different one in Rounds 2 or 3 and still come out with a pretty good player.
The Jaguars will have options in the 2026 NFL Draft, and R Mason Thomas will be an intriguing one in Round 2.
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