Thurman Thomas was drafted No. 40 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1988 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State. 182 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 110 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #40
- Round
- 2
- Draft class
- 1988
- NFL games
- 182
- Years as starter
- 10
- Career AV
- 1102nd at Oklahoma State
- Pro Bowls
- 5
- All-Pro
- 2
The pick
How Thurman Thomas came off the board in 1988.
- Position
- Running back RB
- Side of the ball
- Offense
NFL career
182 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 110 career approximate value
- Games played
- 182
- Seasons as a starter
- 10
- Career approximate value
- 1102nd among Oklahoma State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 10999% of career value
- Final season
- 200012 years after the draft
- Accolades
- Hall of Fame · 2× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl
Around pick 40
Who came off the board on either side of Thurman Thomas.
TCU
Angelo State · 1× Pro Bowl
UCLA · 1× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
Florida
Oklahoma State in the 1988 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other RB picks from Oklahoma State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Oklahoma State · Hall of Fame · 6× All-Pro · 10× Pro Bowl
#249
Chris Carson
RB · SEA · 2017
Oklahoma State
#126
Chuba Hubbard
RB · CAR · 2021
Oklahoma State
#41
Tatum Bell
RB · DEN · 2004
Oklahoma State
#113
Justice Hill
RB · BAL · 2019
Oklahoma State
#115
Kendall Hunter
RB · SF · 2011
Oklahoma State
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Thurman Thomas in the 1988 NFL Draft
Thurman Thomas is a Running back out of Oklahoma State selected No. 40 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1988 NFL Draft. 182 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 110 career approximate value Oklahoma State has produced 84 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Thurman Thomas drafted?
Thurman Thomas was selected No. 40 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1988 NFL Draft (Rd 2). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1988/thurman-thomas.
What college did Thurman Thomas play for?
Thurman Thomas played college football at Oklahoma State in the Big 12. See every Oklahoma State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/oklahoma-state-cowboys.
How did Thurman Thomas's NFL career turn out?
182 regular-season games · 10 seasons as a starter · 110 career approximate value Accolades: Hall of Fame · 2× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1988/thurman-thomas.