At first glance, Oklahoma pass rusher R Mason Thomas seemed a curious fit for the Kansas City Chiefs when he was selected with the 40th pick in last month’s NFL Draft.

Weighing in at only 241 pounds, Thomas is much lighter than the edge rushers long coveted by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Speaking on Friday at the opening of Kansas City’s rookie minicamp, Thomas expressed confidence that his game would translate to the next level.

“It’s not like college,” Thomas noted, “but wherever the defense wants you to play, at the end of the day it’s football. So, it’s going...