2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Isaiah Thomas
- Position: Edge Rusher
- School: Oklahoma
- Height: 6'5"
- Weight: 267lbs
Film Watched: West Virginia 2021, Oklahoma State 2020, Senior Bowl
Pro's:
- Versatile defensive lineman who played both tackle and end for the Sooners
- Good length, and knows how to use it. Natural pocket penetrator
- Uses good speed adjustments to set blockers up before ripping past them
- Elusive; keeps off blocks with a combination of his own arm extension and minimising his surface area
- Developed a range of pass rush moves and uses varied and effective combos to win the hand fight
- Good early burst and can goad opponents into over-setting, punishing their inside as a result
- Shows good dip at the top of the curve and flattens the arc to the quarterback
- Excellent sack production at Oklahoma – fifteen QB takedowns in his last two seasons in Norman
Isaiah Thomas is a DE prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 8.91 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 152 out of 1389 DE from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/0bNqEmAinA #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/gfqgLi2hds
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 6, 2022
Con's:
- Run defense inhibited by lack of core strength
- Struggles to set the edge with a lack of anchor
- Finds it difficult to get off blocks once the tackle has latched on
- Two-gapping difficult as he lacks the arm strength to control blocks before disengaging to the ball
- Character concerns; was charged twice during his collegiate career (petty larceny, driving while impaired)
The Verdict:
“Despite not having elite quicks off the line of scrimmage, Isaiah Thomas has become a quarterback’s nightmare during his time at Oklahoma. With the clever use of speed, hand technique and elusiveness, Thomas is a natural pass rusher who finds way to get beyond blocks and to the football. Thomas possesses just modest core strength throughout his frame, which he’s managed to compensate for in the pass game but will hinder him even more against the run at the next level. Until he gets stouter on blocks and demonstrates more reliability maintaining his gap integrity he’ll very much be considered a designated pass rusher at the next level. That limits his draft stock but also brings a rare skill, and will allow him some time to develop his body to be able to contribute in other ways on the field.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: LESS EXPLOSIVE BRIAN BURNS
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Rated 5 out of 5