2026 NFL Draft Mailbag: Latest draft stock for R Mason Thomas, first round outlook for the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings
This week’s 2026 NFL Draft mailbag features some conversation around R Mason Thomas, and the first round outlook for the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.
We are just 35 days until the 2026 NFL Draft officially kicks off. With only a few weeks remaining, we are entering the final stretch of rumor and misdirection season. It is also now or never for folks to do their homework on these players and figure out who they do and don’t like as prospects.
With time going by quickly, I am opening up these mailbag features each week to readers. As always, shoutout to everyone who submitted questions this week. In this week’s edition, I talked about Oklahoma pass rusher R Mason Thomas, draft plans for the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, as well as some mid-round sleepers at a couple different positions.
How high will R Mason Thomas go?
Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas is one of my favorite pass rushers in this class. I understand those who are a little lower on Thomas, considering that he’s much more of a designated pass rusher than a three-down impact player, but getting after the quarterback is so important. I know that a couple of teams inside the first round have some high interest in Thomas. Whether his medicals check out will determine if Thomas goes inside the top-32 selections. If he does, I think there is a strong chance he does, and the conversation starts with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 15 overall.
The best linebacker value
There’s a chance that he does inside the top-100, but if he doesn’t, Kaleb Elarms-Orr (TCU) is my selection for best value at linebacker in this class. The former Cal transfer is a really gifted athlete on the second level with impressive range. If Elarms-Orr can be a more consistent processor, he has a chance to be quite good. Red Murdock (Buffalo) is my pick for a later Day Three value. He is a good football player.
What are the Jets going to do?
We will hear a lot more rumors and speculation over the next several weeks, but for now, my biggest Jets take is that I think we can almost write Arvell Reese’s name down in pen at the No. 2 overall selection. In their 3-4 defensive alignment, the Ohio State defender is such an easy fit to potentially play a couple of roles in the defense. Whether Reese ends up as a true stacked linebacker or as an EDGE, Reese could fit in that defense. I think that is who the Jets favor with that top selection.
Biggest first round need for the Minnesota Vikings
The secondary has been my main point of emphasis, but with the slide of Peter Woods (Clemson), it is making me second-guess that perspective. I would have a hard time passing up Woods, except if Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy slides to that spot. If the team goes safety, Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Toledo) are both intriguing options. McCoy would be my top target depending on how the board walls, followed by Woods, and then either of the safeties listed.
Mid round options in the offensive line class
While I am not necessarily high on this offensive line class as a whole, there is always value to be found. That includes right in the middle rounds, where you are always going to be able to find some future starters, at least to some capacity. Here are some of my favorites.
From a pure talent perspective, Stephens isn’t going to excite anyone. What he lacks in pure athleticism, he makes up for those deficiencies with technique, physicality, and effort. Stephens strikes me as a player who will eventually become a solid starter for a team, whether that is at guard or eventually transitioning to center.
Farmer is a massive blocker who projects really well in a power system on the next level. You don’t want to make him move laterally too often, but being explosive and physical going forward is where his skill set fits best. There is a chance for Farmer to develop into a starter earlier in his NFL career.
Fa’alili Fa’amoe (Wake Forest)
Between his stops with Washington State and Wake Forest, Fa’amoe has played a lot of football at right tackle in his career. He began his career on the defensive line, and that shows most with his tenacity as a run blocker. It is possible that Fa’amoe ends up sticking at offensive tackle, but his game could fit best inside at guard. That flexibility is very attractive for a prospective NFL team.
While Zuhn played most of his time at offensive tackle during his Aggies career, he also had some reps at center this past season. The latter fits his skill set best, excelling while working to the second level and being consistent technically. Zuhn could eventually become a starter center on the NFL level.
Power scheme centers
In terms of needing the physicality and linear explosiveness to play more in a gap power system, Michigan State’s Matt Gulbin probably fits the bill best. He isn’t necessarily a flashy player, but he is extremely efficient. There is very real displacement power to create movement at the point of attack. Brian Parker II (Duke) and Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech) are a couple of converts who played both offensive tackle and guard in college, respectively. They both project favorably inside to the center position that could be available more in the middle rounds, as well.
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