Tahir Whitehead

Detroit Lions 138th pick

OLB ·

Temple · 2012–2021

142

Games

490

Solo Tackles

Sacks

Interceptions

Tahir Whitehead is a former outside linebacker out of Temple, selected by the Detroit Lions with the 138th overall pick (round 5) in the 2012 NFL Draft. He played 142 regular-season games from 2012 to 2021, with the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals.

Draft Details

Year

2012

Round

Round 5

Pick

138th overall

Team

Detroit Lions

Position

OLB

College

Temple

Tahir Whitehead Career Stats

Primary starter for 7 seasons.
Ranks 10th in the 2012 draft class in solo tackles (490).

Defense

Season	Team	G	Solo	Ast	TFL	Sacks	QB Hits	INT	PD	FF
2012	DET	8	7	3	0	0	0	0	0	1
2013	DET	8	7	2	0	0	0	0	0	1
2014	DET	16	62	23	4	0	2	2	5	0
2015	DET	14	39	11	7	2	4	1	6	0
2016	DET	15	92	33	2	0	0	0	5	0
2017	DET	16	69	32	9	1	4	1	2	0
2018	OAK	16	77	37	7	0	1	1	5	1
2019	OAK	16	71	29	5	0	1	0	1	0
2020	CAR	13	27	24	0	0	1	1	1	0
2021	ARI	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career		123	451	195	34	3	13	6	25	3

G = games with at least one recorded statistic; the career games total in the summary above includes every game played.

Source: nflverse · Updated Sep 28, 2026

NFL Combine Results

Height

6-1

Weight

233 lbs

40-Yard Dash

4.62s

Bench Press

21 reps

Vertical Jump

37"

Broad Jump

124"

3-Cone Drill

7.14s

Shuttle

4.37s

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