Drake Thomas LB NC State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Drake Thomas LB NC State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/25/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 24.9 DOB: 02/25/2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 03/25/2023 | |
| Draft Year: 2023 | |
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | |
| Age: 24.9 DOB: 02/25/2000 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: |
78.5 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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66% |
| Pass Rush: |
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77% |
| Run Defense: |
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86% |
| Coverage: |
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69% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#216
Position rank:
#29
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| College Games: 46 College Snaps: 2421 | ||
ESPN RATING: 77/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#372
Pos Rank:
#21
State Rank:
#38
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 88/100
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| Ovr Rank: #25 Pos Rank: #26 | ||
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Drake Thomas from Heritage High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Thomas joined NC State.In 2019 as a freshman Thomas saw action in 12 games and played a total of 352 snaps at linebacker for the Wolfpack. He recorded 24 tackles, 10 assists, while adding 20 stops. In coverage Thomas notched up one pass breakup, one interception, and a QB rating when targetted of 97.6. As a pass rusher, he added 5 total pressures, which included 3 QB hurries, no QB hits, and 2 sacks on the season.
As a sophomore for the Wolfpack in 2020 Thomas played in 10 games and took part in 576 snaps for the Wolfpack. He recorded 38 tackles, 17 assists, while adding 27 stops. In coverage Thomas made one pass breakup, no interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 68.8. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 13 total pressures, and 8 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 3 sacks during the year.
In 2021 as a junior Thomas played in 12 games and contributed on 758 snaps. He recorded decent 65 tackles, 23 assists while making 49 stops. In coverage Thomas chalked up 4 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, and an outstanding QB rating when targetted of 45.9. As a pass rusher, he produced 24 total pressures, which included 17 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 5 sacks on the year.
In 2022 as a senior Thomas logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 735 snaps for the Wolfpack. He also added decent 61 tackles, 21 assists, and 48 stops. While in coverage Thomas made 2 pass breakups, no interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 87.5. As a pass rusher, he tallied 46 total pressures, which included 30 QB hurries, 9 QB hits, and 7 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Trusts his eyes and shows no hesitation with good anticipation to avoid blockers.
- Thomas has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on.
- Quick to read run, showing good agility and speed to get past blockers and finish. Experienced in coverage and gets a strong jam on outside receivers.
- He can move laterally and chase in pursuit. A tough, violent tackler with a non-stop motor, Thomas also shows good awareness when dropping into coverage.
- He’s an instinctive and active chase-and-tackle 4-3 Will, with the speed to go sideline to sideline. He takes excellent angles. He also has an innate sense for shooting gaps as a run defender.
- Thomas can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Thomas lacks the ability to anchor and set the edge as a run defender, and Thomas too often gets caught up in the wash when chasing in pursuit.
- He’ll also need to be covered in the run game, more of a Will than a Mike in a 4-3 alignment.
- . Thomas doesn’t have elite take-on skills. He’s not a violent hitter, but more of a grab-and-drag tackler. He’s also limited in man coverage, and he won’t be able to run with athletic tight ends.
Drake Thomas percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Drake Thomas (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
266.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
43.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.