KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Former Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas expressed surprise when the Chiefs selected him in the second round (40th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft.

And part of it might have been because of limited contact during the predraft process.

“I didn’t expect this,” Mason said Friday night during a Zoom teleconference with the Chiefs media corps. “I had a formal meeting with them.

“I know (linebacker) Ethan Downs, another OU alumni that is at the Chiefs, but I didn’t necessarily, I didn’t know who it was once the second round started.”

Nevertheless, the unexpected moment didn’t damper Mason’s enthusiasm during his draft party, which saw him surrounded by family and close friends.

“I was surprised, I was excited,” he said.…