4. Thomas has the size and versatility to play from the side and as an interior pass rusher.
The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Thomas played all over the defensive line in college and had great success as an edge rusher and as an interior defensive lineman. He moved to outside linebacker in 2022 to fit in Arizona’s 3-4 scheme and stayed there last year in the Cardinals’ multiple scheme that still used stand-up pass rushers.
It’s worth noting that despite his primary role as an edge rusher, Arizona has occasionally used Thomas as an interior rusher, including during this year’s preseason. One of those snaps where Thomas was an edge rusher resulted in a sack against Indianapolis.
Now a member of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s 4-3 scheme, it’s reasonable to expect him to return to his traditional position as a versatile, hand-in-the-mud defensive end. Given Spagnuolo’s tendency to use his defensive ends on the interior, it’s also likely that Thomas will have opportunities to create plays as an inside rusher as well.
5. He played college football at San Diego State.
A native of Carlsbad, California, just outside of San Diego, Thomas’s decision to attend San Diego State was in part because of his brother Zachary, who was an offensive lineman for the Aztecs from 2016-2021.
He played for San Diego State for four seasons, recording 155 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, three passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 36 games (34 starts). He was particularly successful in his final year at the school, where he recorded 20.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 14 starts.
Thomas, who led the Mountain West in both tackles-for-loss and sacks this year, was named to the Second-Team All-America for his performance in 2021. Additionally, his 71 tackles this year ranked second among all FBS defensive linemen and his 20.5 tackles-for-loss ranked third among all FBS players.
His performance resulted in a top-100 selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and now, just three years later, he is headed to Kansas City to join the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.
