Seahawks’ Undrafted Duo Ty Okada, Drake Thomas Are NFL’s Best ‘Next Men Up’
▼ Summary
– Drake Thomas and Ty Okada began the 2025 season with minimal playing time but have since become key starters for the Seattle Seahawks defense.
– Both players were undrafted in 2023, with Okada signed by Seattle and Thomas claimed off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders.
– Okada earned his starting role due to injuries in the secondary, while Thomas won his job by outperforming last year’s starter, Tyrice Knight.
– They have made significant contributions, with Thomas recording three sacks and six tackles for loss and Okada making impactful interceptions and pass breakups.
– Their consistent playmaking and expanded roles have solidified their positions, helping the Seahawks lead their division with a deep roster.
At the start of the 2025 NFL season, Drake Thomas and Ty Okada were far from central figures in the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive strategy. Week one saw them on the field for just 15 and six snaps respectively. Fast forward eight weeks, and the situation has transformed dramatically. Okada has logged 367 snaps on defense along with 74 on special teams, while Thomas has contributed 316 defensive plays and 105 in the kicking game. These two undrafted athletes have become indispensable, securing starting roles for the foreseeable future.
The “next man up” philosophy gets tossed around every locker room, but Seattle has truly embodied it this year. Each player’s path to prominence was distinct. Safety Ty Okada stepped up when injuries sidelined Nick Emmanwori, Devon Witherspoon, and Julian Love. Linebacker Drake Thomas, meanwhile, needed only about a month to seize the starting job from last season’s first-choice, Tyrice Knight. Since that point, the role has belonged to Thomas, and he has flourished.
Okada has been equally impressive. While his recent Sunday night interception is earning plenty of attention, his preseason pick against Malik Willis stands out as one of the most remarkable defensive plays in recent memory. Both athletes measure 5’11”. Okada joined the Seahawks from Montana State, and Thomas arrived from North Carolina State. Neither heard his name called in the 2023 draft. Seattle signed Okada directly, while Thomas was with the Las Vegas Raiders until his release, at which point John Schneider quickly claimed him off waivers.
Today, the NFL’s top-ranked defense features both third-year pros as starters. Each has surpassed Witherspoon’s snap count by over 100 and is keeping pace with Byron Murphy. The benefit for Seattle extends beyond simply filling gaps without weakness. Both Thomas and Okada display a genuine playmaking instinct. Thomas has recorded three sacks and six tackles for loss. Okada, aside from his highlight-reel interception, has a sack and several key pass breakups.
If the discussion shifts to the “most surprising” contributor, Okada undoubtedly takes the prize. Thomas had more preseason buzz and a steadier ascent. Okada, however, has delivered remarkable consistency and a tangible impact on every defensive down. Stepping in for Pro Bowl veteran Julian Love is no small task, yet Okada has handled it superbly.
Contributions like these are essential for any team with serious postseason ambitions. The current Seahawks roster is loaded with difference-makers at every position. Julian Love’s extended absence ensures Okada remains a fixture in the lineup. Thomas was already established, but an injury to Ernest Jones positions him as the primary force at linebacker heading into the second half of the season, rather than Tyrice Knight. There is no reason for concern about how these two will perform. The question is, do you share that confidence?
(Source: Field Gulls)