There is a very strong chance the Green Bay Packers will add an edge rusher in the 2022 NFL draft. Still well over the salary cap, the team is in jeopardy of losing one of their top edge rushers in Za’Darius Smith or Preston Smith. The Packers will hope to keep at least one of their top pass-rushers to pair with Rashan Gary next season, but even then, expect them to draft one to get the developmental process started. An intriguing option is San Diego State’s Cameron Thomas.
Thomas is coming off a remarkable 2021 season in which he logged 71 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. He was eventually named the 2021 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year for his incredible production. Thomas has generated some first-round buzz, but in a deep edge class, he will likely be a day two pick.
Thomas only participated in the bench press at this year’s NFL combine after injuring his hamstring at the Senior Bowl. He logged 24 reps – a solid number that topped another potential first-rounder in Purdue’s George Karlaftis (21). Thomas plans to participate in running drills and the vertical jump at his Pro Day scheduled for March 22.
Green Bay would be wise to be in attendance. Thomas is scheme versatile but projects best as a three-tech defensive end. The Packers are not opposed to kicking edge rushers inside on occasion. Ideally, Thomas will add strength and mass to his 6-4, 267-pound frame. He will continue to get stronger and eventually emerge into a starting-caliber edge rusher who can make an impact from a variety of alignments.
This week, we are going to take a closer look at Thomas by reviewing his film from a game last season against Utah. Let’s dive right in and see what the promising edge prospect could bring to an ascending defense.
As a pass rusher:
San Diego St edge Cameron Thomas is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft.
Explosive first step and excellent hands to generate immediate pressure like this ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2ezlB0LdH3
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 10, 2022
If he adds strength, Thomas will be a potential nightmare for NFL guards. For one, he is extremely agile for a guy his size, which is demonstrated through his explosive first step and lateral movement in the play above. We see Thomas immediately gains leverage with his quickness and hands. Thomas’ hands are well versed and one of his best attributes. He clubs the guard’s inside hand while implementing a swim move with his offhand so the blocker cannot get proper hand placement. All of this is done in unison and looks like poetry in motion when combined with his upfield burst and vision to take a direct line to the quarterback. The result is an immediate pressure to force a hurried throw that is nearly intercepted.
Cameron Thomas’ hand combinations are extremely polished. pic.twitter.com/uiCI5Sya00
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 10, 2022
I really can’t get over Thomas’ hand usage. Here we see Thomas use a cross chop-club into a swim. Again, he generates quick pressure to get the quarterback to drop his eyes and eventually scramble into a sack. The important thing to note is how well Thomas implements his plan of attack. He knows exactly what he wants to do before the ball is snapped and then does an outstanding job with his execution.
Sets the rush up beautifully pic.twitter.com/gzSgbPzTI9
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 10, 2022
This time, Thomas is lining up over the left tackle and looks like he is going to take an outside rush. However, he quickly uses another deadly club-swim to gain inside leverage. The center sees this and has to help immediately. The center actually helps Thomas a bit by knocking him into the quarterback, but he is unable to make the tackle. It still forces the quarterback into an off-balanced throw into double coverage that falls incomplete. Thomas is only going to get better as a pass rusher but generating immediate pressure like this is extremely valuable even if it doesn’t always end in a sack. His explosiveness paired with Gary would be a lot of fun.
Against the run:
Thomas is never out of a play. Great second effort and finish. pic.twitter.com/oPLhOgnsMm
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 10, 2022
Thomas plays with a rare level of effort. His relentless attitude carries over to the run game as a stout run defender. On this play, the left tackle gets control over Thomas at the start. However, Thomas is able to get his arms extended so he can get off the block and get back into the mix. His help has done a nice job bottling up the running back, allowing Thomas to get back into the play and help bring the ball carrier down.
Against the run, Thomas has the lateral quickness to move up and down the LOS. pic.twitter.com/uSAka1jC2q
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 10, 2022
It is easy to see why Thomas had so much success against the run last year. Here, we see his explosive first step put to good use as a run defender as he is able to cross the blocker’s face. Thomas then uses a rip move to get off the block and continue to move down the line of scrimmage so he can bring the running back down. The result is no gain.
Cameron Thomas is a high IQ player with quick on the fly processing. pic.twitter.com/on4ps8NqOu
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 10, 2022
Here is not just another example of Thomas’ athleticism, but his mental processing as well. He quickly finds the ball and showcases his closing speed and tackling radius to make the play. None of this happens without great instincts.
Thomas played lined up everywhere for SDSU. Here he is at the O-tech. pic.twitter.com/zvXqksR460
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 10, 2022
Thomas played lined up at basically every alignment in college. He probably won’t be asked to do this at the next level, but it is still worth showing what Thomas is capable of. Even as a 0-tech, Thomas continued to make plays for his defense. He gets his arms extended to get off the block and moves laterally in the direction of the play flow. The center tries his best to ceil Thomas, but his quickness is too much as he beats him at the point of attack and then tracks down the ball carrier. Just an impressive play.
Bonus clip
A motor that just won’t quit. pic.twitter.com/s6BXfGd6Rl
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) March 10, 2022
Look at the hustle Thomas shows on this play. Utah runs a screen here, and we even see Thomas hit the ground. Some defensive lineman will give up on this play, but not Thomas. He gets up and chases the play almost 15 yards down the field to make the tackle. For an edge rusher, you want this kind of motor and mindset.
No, Thomas is not a perfect prospect. There are questions about his ability to be an effective edge rusher when attacking the tackle’s outside shoulder. We never saw him showcase his speed or bend to create pressure from the arc. This is something he will have to get better at or he may be reserved to a 3-tech. Thomas also needs to improve his play strength. He doesn’t have great knockback power and will likely need to add more muscle so that he can stand up better to NFL competition. A couple of years of NFL strength training should do wonders.
That said, there is enough to like about Thomas as a day two pick or even at the tail end of the first round. The Packers could select Thomas at 28 knowing that he will start as a rotational pass rusher. He can then add strength and hone in his craft to become a prominent player capable of making an impact against the run and pass.
