Derrick Thomas was drafted No. 4 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1989 NFL Draft out of Alabama. 169 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 104 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #4
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 1989
- NFL games
- 169
- Years as starter
- 11
- Career AV
- 1041st at Alabama
- Pro Bowls
- 9
- All-Pro
- 2
The pick
How Derrick Thomas came off the board in 1989.
- Position
- Linebacker LB
- College
-
Alabama
SEC at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Defense
NFL career
169 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 104 career approximate value
- Games played
- 169
- Seasons as a starter
- 11
- Career approximate value
- 1041st among Alabama picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 104100% of career value
- Final season
- 199910 years after the draft
- Accolades
- Hall of Fame · 2× All-Pro · 9× Pro Bowl
Around pick 4
Who came off the board on either side of Derrick Thomas.
Michigan State
Oklahoma State · Hall of Fame · 6× All-Pro · 10× Pro Bowl
Florida State · Hall of Fame · 6× All-Pro · 8× Pro Bowl
Nebraska
Alabama in the 1989 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other LB picks from Alabama
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Alabama · 1× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl
#17
C.J. Mosley
LB · BAL · 2014
Alabama · 5× Pro Bowl
#25
Dont'a Hightower
LB · NE · 2012
Alabama · 2× Pro Bowl
#5
E.J. Junior
LB · ARI · 1981
Alabama · 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
#33
DeMeco Ryans
LB · HOU · 2006
Alabama · 2× Pro Bowl
#3
Will Anderson
LB · HOU · 2023
Alabama · 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Derrick Thomas in the 1989 NFL Draft
Derrick Thomas is a Linebacker out of Alabama selected No. 4 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1989 NFL Draft. 169 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 104 career approximate value Alabama has produced 263 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 Derrick Thomas drafted?
Derrick Thomas was selected No. 4 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1989 NFL Draft (Rd 1). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1989/derrick-thomas.
What college did Derrick Thomas play for?
Derrick Thomas played college football at Alabama in the SEC. See every Alabama draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/alabama-crimson-tide.
How did Derrick Thomas's NFL career turn out?
169 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 104 career approximate value Accolades: Hall of Fame · 2× All-Pro · 9× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1989/derrick-thomas.