Miami Football 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Where will the Hurricanes land?

Projection: Round 4, No. 114 overall

Chad Thomas, aka Major Nine if you’re a fan of Miami hip hop, measured in at 6-5 and 281 pounds at the NFL Combine. Thomas was playing as a 4-technique defensive lineman in the 3-4 defense Al Golden used and didn’t break out until Manny Diaz came in and changed the defense to an even front, putting Thomas on the outside in a 7-technique to the run strength.

Thomas isn’t a pass-rush threat in the NFL but he plays strong against the run and will be able to fight off tight ends with his long arms and strength. Scouts will love his film against the Clemson Tigers where he logged seven tackles and a sack against one of the nation’s best offensive lines.

Over his four-year career, Thomas made 26 tackles for loss and ten sacks for the Hurricanes. With the Cleveland Browns already having Myles Garrett they could use a young run stopper on the opposite side of their elite pass rusher. Thomas ran a 4.92 in the 40-yard dash at the combine which is solid for a man his size and showed power in the hips with a 116-inch broad jump and 29-inch vertical jump.

NFL.com actually grades Thomas higher than McIntosh and feels he can become an NFL starter. I see Thomas as a player that will excel in the right situation and where a franchise realizes his strengths and doesn’t expect double-digit sacks numbers.