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This week, the New Orleans Saints held a formal interview with Oklahoma’s pass rusher R Mason Thomas. For a team with a clear need to rejuvenate its aging pass rush, the meeting is more than just due diligence; it’s a potential signal of a philosophical shift in the Big Easy.
At 6’2″ and 250 pounds, Thomas is the definition of an “outlier.” In a league that prizes long arms and heavy frames, he is frequently slapped with the “undersized” label. But at the Combine podium, Thomas offered a masterclass in self-awareness, citing the fundamental law of motion to explain his game.
“I tell [teams] the force equation: mass times acceleration equals force. I’m not a 280-pound guy, I’m a 250 guy, but all I need to do is generate more speed to generate more force.”
By formally interviewing Thomas, one of only 45 private slots available to them, the Saints are acknowledging that the “prototypical” mold might not be the only way to get to the quarterback.
The timing of this interest couldn’t be more poignant. The Saints are facing a transition period:
- The Legend: Cam Jordan is entering the twilight of a Hall of Fame career.
- The Bridge: Chase Young has provided a spark, but the depth behind him remains a question mark.
- The Need: New Orleans finished the 2025 season needing more consistent “home run” hitters on third down.
Thomas, 21, emphasized how much he would take away from playing alongside Jordan (potentially) and Young if he were drafted to New Orleans.
“It’d be crazy,” Thomas said with a smile. “I’ll probably bug them so much. Cam Jordan… he has a lot of information.”
The Saints have a history of being bold and sometimes stubborn with their defensive line evaluations. If they pull the trigger on R Mason Thomas in April, it will be a bet on modernity over tradition.