Once overlooked and undrafted in the NFL Draft — the young talen linebacker with 101 career tackles is becoming a key factor in reshaping the future of the Seattle Seahawks.

Once overlooked and undrafted in the NFL Draft — the young talen linebacker with 101 career tackles is becoming a key factor in reshaping the future of the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle, Washington – 11/12/2025

When the 2025 season began, the name Drake Thomas barely registered across the NFL landscape. An undrafted player with a smaller frame than the average linebacker and a start on the bench, few expected him to become more than a depth option. But just months later, Thomas has forced everyone to take notice — from an overlooked afterthought to a cornerstone defender redefining the identity of the Seattle Seahawks’ defense.

At 25 years old, Thomas is putting together a remarkable rise through persistence and consistency. Since entering the league, he has totaled 101 career tackles, along with 8 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended, and 3 sacks — an outstanding achievement for a player once deemed “too small” or “not NFL material.” More importantly, he’s proving that he doesn’t just belong in the league — he’s thriving in it.

“He has instincts that you just can’t teach,” said head coach Mike Macdonald. “Drake may not be the biggest or the fastest, but he plays with the heart and intelligence of a true leader. Every time he steps on the field, he makes his teammates believe there are no limits to what they can accomplish.”

In the 44–22 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, Thomas once again showcased his value with six tackles, including two for loss, highlighted by a perfectly timed burst through the line to take down Bam Knight behind the line of scrimmage — a play that brought the Lumen Field crowd to its feet.

“I’ve been doubted and overlooked before,” Thomas said after the game. “But every day I remind myself to work like I haven’t earned anything yet. Here in Seattle, they believed in me — and I fight every snap to be worthy of that belief.”

Now, with the Seahawks sitting at 7–2 and boasting one of the most efficient defenses in the NFL, Drake Thomas is no longer an underdog story — he’s a symbol of resilience and determination in a city built on grit.
From forgotten prospect to rising star, he’s writing a story that proves one thing: sometimes the greatest legacies are born from those no one ever expected to succeed.