When the Seahawks reviewed film of their Week 6 win in Jacksonville, one highlight that drew a big reaction from teammates was a sack by linebacker Drake Thomas, his second this season and the second of his career.
Considered undersized by NFL linebacker standards, the 5-foot-11, 228-pound Thomas got two hands on Jaguars left tackle Walter Little, who outweighs him by nearly 100 pounds, and tosses Little aside to free up his path to quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
"We all got pretty rowdy in here in the team meeting after we'd seen that play," defensive lineman Leonard Williams said. "Everybody just loves seeing that type of play. But that's the way Drake plays every week, honestly. I think we've been seeing it from him as teammates throughout camp and OTAs, and it's cool that now it's showing up in games and fans are also recognizing it."
Thomas admitted seeing his teammates react like that was a nice bonus in a Monday meeting, saying, "It was really cool to see the reaction in the team meeting room. That was exciting."
That Thomas, a former undrafted free agent who until this season had primarily been a special teams player, was being celebrated as a defensive standout in a Seahawks victory, was a sign not just of how far he has come in his career, but also that Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald remains committed to leading a team where every player gets a chance to earn more opportunities with the work they put in in practice.
Thomas, who signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent out of NC State in 2023, was on Seattle's radar coming out of the draft, so when the Raiders waived him prior to the season, the Seahawks claimed him, valuing the athleticism and toughness that made him a two-time first-team All-ACC linebacker despite not possessing prototypical size for the position.
And through his first two seasons, when healthy, Thomas proved to be what one might expect from an undersized, undrafted linebacker—a really good special teams player and backup linebacker. But this season, with Ernest Jones IV coming back from offseason surgery and with Tyrice Knight dealing with a health issue, Thomas got a lot of work with the No. 1 defense, and began showing his coaches he had the ability to be even more for the Seahawks.
And after subbing in for Knight in certain situations earlier in the season, Thomas moved into the starting lineup for the past three games, and in those games, he has recorded 20 tackles, 2.0 sacks, three tackles for loss and two passes defensed.
"It's been amazing, I've been super thankful for every high and every low," Thomas said of his NFL journey so far. "It's all been a part of the process, and it has all eventually led to this point right here. So I'm grateful for every single step. I've definitely learned and grown throughout the process, so that's all you can ask for."
For Macdonald, Thomas is just the latest example of a player showing what he can do in practice and on special teams before moving into a starting role. Last year, Coby Bryant was able to follow that path on his way to becoming an every-down playmaking safety, and cornerback Josh Jobe went from practice squad cornerback to starter. With injuries in the secondary this year, the Seahawks have gotten contributions in big roles from several players, including safety Ty Okada, cornerback Derion Kendrick, who was claimed off waivers before the start of the season, and veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin, who started last week after being elevated from the practice squad.
"Drake's story is awesome," Macdonald said. "We showed up and our personnel people had a high opinion of him. He was a player that I wasn't familiar with before we got here. He was injured at the beginning of last year, but he's an example of a guy that came back early from his injury because of how hard he worked, how he attacked the process, and he's the same guy every day. He's 100 percent, he's all in. He's attention detailed. He understands adjustments, understands game plans. He's tough as nails. I think he's a good athlete, he does a lot of positive things. He's made a lot of plays on special teams, but this is the guy that we saw all offseason too. When players tell you who they are, believe them."
Thomas' ascension to a starting role doesn't mean Knight won't have a meaningful role moving forward—Macdonald has shown he is more than comfortable using both players in games this season, but as of now, Thomas is the one earning the starting reps.
"These things, they're never set in stone," Macdonald said. "I feel like we've proven that over the last couple of years. It's always what we feel is going to give us the best chance to win at that moment. But a great example with Tyrice (Knight), is he went into the game after Drake, I think he hurt his finger, and they ran a trap pass right behind him in cover three. It was a great reaction, played underneath the trap pass. We either got a sack or a tackle on that play for no gain. That's a great example of being ready, staying ready, coming in and playing to the standard when we go out there. Both guys are deserving of playing time, but right now, Drake's playing great football.
"Well, we believe in development here. We've said this multiple times, but players were allowed to get better and improve. They can come from anywhere and if you're going to put yourself in a position to help us win, then we're going to play you."
The Seahawks hit the practice field on Thursday, October 16, 2025 as they prepare for their upcoming Week 7 matchup on Monday Night Football.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90), linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99), defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24)practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27), cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62) and center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) and guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) and safety Jerrick Reed II (32) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) and wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and wide receiver Tory Horton (15) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) and cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) and cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) and tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
