Late Round Sleeper: Chase Thomas, Stanford OLB/DE

[EmotionallyUnstable]

With Mario and Anderson hopefully filling our 3 down needs next season at DE, I'd like to take a shot at a project kid like Thomas. If you look at his physical ability, it appears limited. Not the fastest off the edge or the most physically gifted. However, he knows how to rush the passer and contains/compresses the football well. A good size for a 3-4 outside backer, hard work in the weight room can add 20 lean lbs to his frame making him a viable option as a pass rushing, 3rd down DE.

 

Thomas' Pros:

 

-hand placement

 

-weight control

 

-reliability in containing the edge/compression

 

-shed ability/technically sound

 

Thomas' Cons:

 

-Not ideal speed off the edge

 

-Currently undersized for DE (6'4 240)

 

-A project transforming to 4-3 DE

 

There are many needs for this Bills in this off season. I think picks like Thomas can add needed depth to a defense that has shown some good spurts but is unreliable. Given the right opportunity and coaching,With a good head on his shoulders, Thomas could be a defensive force the Bills can transform into a reliable and sound role player.

[jjmac]

With Mario and Anderson hopefully filling our 3 down needs next season at DE, I'd like to take a shot at a project kid like Thomas. If you look at his physical ability, it appears limited. Not the fastest off the edge or the most physically gifted. However, he knows how to rush the passer and contains/compresses the football well. A good size for a 3-4 outside backer, hard work in the weight room can add 20 lean lbs to his frame making him a viable option as a pass rushing, 3rd down DE.

 

Thomas' Pros:

 

-hand placement

 

-weight control

 

-reliability in containing the edge/compression

 

-shed ability/technically sound

 

Thomas' Cons:

 

-Not ideal speed off the edge

 

-Currently undersized for DE (6'4 240)

 

-A project transforming to 4-3 DE

 

There are many needs for this Bills in this off season. I think picks like Thomas can add needed depth to a defense that has shown some good spurts but is unreliable. Given the right opportunity and coaching,With a good head on his shoulders, Thomas could be a defensive force the Bills can transform into a reliable and sound role player.

 

As many needs as we have, we may not have room for projects this year.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

With Mario and Anderson hopefully filling our 3 down needs next season at DE, I'd like to take a shot at a project kid like Thomas. If you look at his physical ability, it appears limited. Not the fastest off the edge or the most physically gifted. However, he knows how to rush the passer and contains/compresses the football well. A good size for a 3-4 outside backer, hard work in the weight room can add 20 lean lbs to his frame making him a viable option as a pass rushing, 3rd down DE.

 

Thomas' Pros:

 

-hand placement

 

-weight control

 

-reliability in containing the edge/compression

 

-shed ability/technically sound

 

Thomas' Cons:

 

-Not ideal speed off the edge

 

-Currently undersized for DE (6'4 240)

 

-A project transforming to 4-3 DE

 

There are many needs for this Bills in this off season. I think picks like Thomas can add needed depth to a defense that has shown some good spurts but is unreliable. Given the right opportunity and coaching,With a good head on his shoulders, Thomas could be a defensive force the Bills can transform into a reliable and sound role player.

 

As many needs as we have, we may not have room for projects this year.

 

Are you serious? I'd be absolultey shocked if this kid made it out of the 3rd round. More likely a mid-late 2nd round pick. I would be delighted to get this kid in the 2nd round. Reminds me of Clay Matthews.

[Guest Guest]

 

 

 

 

Are you serious? I'd be absolultey shocked if this kid made it out of the 3rd round. More likely a mid-late 2nd round pick. I would be delighted to get this kid in the 2nd round. Reminds me of Clay Matthews.

 

I was hoping to get our QB in the 2nd.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I was responding to the notion that Chase Thomas might be a "project" type player that will still be hanging around in the mid-late rounds of the draft. This kid will be a hot commodity come draft time, and presently is graded by most draft experts in the early-mid 2nd round. If the Bills really like Thomas, they better take him in the 2nd.