Detroit Lions draft prospect: defensive end Chad Thomas
By Ash Thompson
The Detroit Lions are going to need a different kind of defensive lineman under Matt Patricia than they have previously. Chad Thomas may be that type of player.
The Detroit Lions defense will look significantly different in 2018. Particularly, the paradigm of the defensive line’s play will not look the same. One of the most important spots on the field will be the role that Trey Flowers played for the New England Patriots. The Lions need a big, strong defensive end who excels in a one or two gap responsibility.
A commonly utilized formation of the Patricia defense was a 3-3-5 nickel formation. That form of nickel defense puts a lot of pressure on the defensive line to stop the run. The Lions may choose to forego the pass rushing defensive ends in this draft class. They are not particularly good relative to other draft classes. That would shift the focus on players that excel in a two gap role, but flashed ability in other areas. One such player is Miami defensive end Chad Thomas.
Thomas had early day two draft hype. His workout, however, showed that he was not going to be able to replicate his style of play with the Hurricanes in the NFL. Thomas was utilized as a defensive end, defensive tackle, and a linebacker in Miami. He looked slow in coverage, and his 4.84 40 yard dash at the combine bared that out. He did improve that to a 4.78 at the Miami pro day, but he did not look like a player who should be spending time in coverage.
What he looked like, was a stout run defender with enough burst at the snap to perhaps threaten the edge in passing situations. Thomas’ 29 bench reps showed the expected power. Unfortunately his agility drills at his pro day were awful. He lacks the athleticism to excel in too many roles. He does have a motor that never stops, and a relentless desire to get to the ball carrier.
In the NFL Thomas will be a two-gap five technique, which is a player that the Lions need to pick up to run Matt Patricia’s scheme effectively. If you need someone to hold the edge and shove an offensive tackle back, then Thomas is your guy. If you need someone to fly off the edge, well, then move Thomas to the inside, out of that guy’s way. Thomas can shove the guard back into the quarterback’s face from the inside on obvious passing downs. He’s not a flamethrower off the edge.
Some time on day three of the draft Thomas is going to go to his next home. He has shown an incredible motor, and a willingness to do anything coaches ask of him. The Lions Met with Thomas at the Miami pro day.