Underdog LB appears set for important Seattle Seahawks role

There’s a third-year Seattle Seahawks player in the mix at linebacker whose name you might not recognize. And that’s understandable.

“I get Drake every time. I’m like, ‘Drake what? That little linebacker, what is his name?’” former NFL quarterback Brock Huard said Monday on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.

Seattle Seahawks Roster Tracker: Keep up on cuts down to 53

That shouldn’t be the case any longer. After that player’s showing in the preseason finale Saturday in Green Bay, Huard’s not forgetting his name.

“His name is Drake Thomas,” Huard continued. “He was just all over the field, all over the ball.”

According to Huard, Drake Thomas is poised for an important role as Seattle’s third linebacker based off of how things have shaken out this summer – as well as the words of Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald.

“I thought Drake’s had a great camp,” Macdonald said after Saturday’s game. “There’s a poise to him in the defense. He’s incredibly smart. He’s shown the ability to play blitz. I mean, he’s kind of doing all the things at dime linebacker that we’re gonna ask our guys to do, so it’s really encouraging. He’s done a great job.”

Thomas is a quintessential underdog. He was undrafted in 2023 out of North Carolina State, and at just 5 foot 11 and 228 pounds, he is built more like someone who would play in the third level of the defense rather than at linebacker. And Thomas’ 24 games of NFL experience, all with the Seahawks since 2023, have primarily come on special teams. Yet despite all of that, he appears in line for a regular role in Seattle’s defense, especially with second-year Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight dealing with a knee injury.

“It’s uphill battle, man,” Huard said of Thomas’ football journey. “It’s one of those age-old stories – if I could put that guy’s heart and that guy’s brain into that dude who’s 6-3 and 250… but it’s in a frame that’s 5-11 and 220 pounds with 29-inch arms. Like, it is an uphill battle, and the biggest uphill battle you’re ever going to face, because there are undersized linebackers and then there’s Drake. I mean, he would be an average-size safety. He’s got very little length.”

Huard compared Thomas to a former Seahawks linebacker great who, while being undersized, still was a bit bigger than him.

“I went back and looked at Lofa Tatupu. Again, not a big linebacker. Lofa was 6-foot, 238 (pounds) with almost 32-inch arms. Drake is 5-11, 223 with 29-inch arms. But he’s overcome it.”

A key reason for that?

“He’s got good speed,” Huard said, before adding a little more impact to his assessment. “He’s got great football speed.

“… He’s going to make this roster, he’s going to be their third linebacker, and kudos to that guy. He may play a role throughout the season not too different than maybe we’ve seen with some of these role players with the Seahawks, especially if Tyrice Knight takes a little time.”

Brock Huard answers three football questions at 7:45 a.m. during the Blue 88 segment of Brock and Salk. Catch Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk live from 6-10 a.m. weekdays.

Underdog LB appears set for important Seattle Seahawks role

Tags: