In this mostly UDFA Utopia series of successes we arrive at a bummer-a success but exclusively with another team. To soften the blow, S&BP’s Tristian Kuhn luckily did a UDFA reality piece last week that noted that the Raiders’ by far most successful UDFA of the current decade was Drake Thomas, who never played a snap for the Raiders in real games despite an impressive 2023 preseason.
Drake Thomas was All ACC twice at North Carolina State and impressed scouts including S&BP’s Matt Holder with his play at the East-West Shrine game after his senior year in college and received high grades from scouts in terms of leadership, instincts, and toughness; but 5-11 height and arm length under 30 inches, and a very average 4.70 forty left Drake Thomas undrafted despite posting good pro day workout numbers in vertical jump, short shuttle (lateral movement/agility), and 3 cone (change of direction) drills.
Immediately after going undrafted Drake Thomas signed with the Raiders, immediately impressing in camp and then had a great preseason at linebacker and on special teams, becoming a favorite of the portion of RaiderNation that follows roster development. However, the McDaniels/Ziegler regime waived Drake Thomas at cutdown and he was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks. McDaniel said he was “hoping Drake Thomas would clear waivers and would have signed with the Raiders practice squad”. The Raiders personnel decisionmakers chose to keep several marginal players on a team that went 6-11 while cutting a player who would have been an immediate and future asset.
As a rookie with Seattle Drake Thomas played special teams until he was hurt late season. After a short stint on PUP to begin camp, he recovered and played special teams again in 2024. Then in 2025 Drake Thomas had a breakout season, starting 14 games and starring in the Super Bowl for the world champion Seahawks.