2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Cameron Thomas

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Cameron Thomas, 6-4/264 Defensive End San Diego State

Cameron Thomas Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Quick edge rusher

Upper body strength

Speed to run around the corner

Active hands

Uses hands and feet at the same time

Capable of beating tackles with speed or strength

Sturdy end

Good size

Steady motor

Weaknesses:

Solid, but unspectacular, in all phases

Has some stiffness

Not super explosive

Does not go for the strip

Summary: Thomas was a quality defensive end for San Diego State over the past three years. In 2019, his first season of extended playing time, he recorded 49 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. As a junior in the shortened 2020 season, Thomas totaled 35 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. Thomas then put together his best season in 2021, recording 71 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

In the pass rush, Thomas can get after the quarterback. He has the upper body strength to fight through blockers and some quickness around the corner. Thomas possesses active hands and uses them at the same time as his feet. He is capable of beating tackles with speed or strength. Thomas may be a sturdy end, but he is not super explosive or a blindingly fast off the edge.



Thomas is generally reliable at holding his gap in the ground game. He fights off blocks and gets in on tackles. Thomas shows some recognition skills and instincts to stay home on misdirection plays. By applying his steady motor, Thomas will work off his blocker and then flow down the line to get in on tackles out side of his gap. Thomas should become a solid run defender as a pro.

Thomas definitely has the body to be a base end in the NFL. He would probably fit best as an end in a 4-3 defense rather than as a standup outside linebacker in a 3-4. He could play outside linebacker in a 3-4, but that isn’t his best fit. Multiple NFL team sources told WalterFootball.com they believe Thomas could be a second-day pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.



Player Comparison: Sam Hubbard. Thomas (6-5, 265) and Hubbard are similar in terms of size and skill sets. Hubbard has been a solid, sturdy edge defender for the Bengals since being a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. While Hubbard has never set the league on fire, he has been a steady player. In the NFL, I think Thomas will have a similar career and impact for his defense.

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