NFL Records
Zach Thomas
184
Games
1,107
Solo Tackles
20.5
Sacks
17
Interceptions
Zach Thomas is a former inside linebacker out of Texas Tech, selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 154th overall pick (round 5) in the 1996 NFL Draft. He played 184 regular-season games from 1996 to 2008. From 1999 on, he played for the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys. He was named to 7 Pro Bowls and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Draft Details
Zach Thomas Career Stats
- Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- 7× Pro Bowl selection, 5× first-team All-Pro.
- Primary starter for 12 seasons.
- Ranks 3rd in the 1996 draft class in solo tackles (1,107).
Career Totals
| Games | Solo Tkl | Sacks | Def INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 184 | 1,107 | 20.5 | 17 |
Defense
| Season | Team | G | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sacks | QB Hits | INT | PD | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | MIA | 16 | 71 | 49 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 1 |
| 2000 | MIA | 10 | 43 | 40 | 7 | 1.5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | MIA | 15 | 75 | 60 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| 2002 | MIA | 16 | 83 | 56 | 3 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2003 | MIA | 15 | 74 | 68 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
| 2004 | MIA | 13 | 71 | 60 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2005 | MIA | 14 | 87 | 55 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 2006 | MIA | 16 | 80 | 62 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 2 |
| 2007 | MIA | 5 | 29 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 | DAL | 16 | 56 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Since 1999 | 136 | 669 | 489 | 23 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 48 | 10 |
G = games with at least one recorded statistic; the career games total in the summary above includes every game played.
Season-by-season detail is available from 1999 on; career totals above cover the full career.
Source: nflverse · Updated Sep 28, 2026
NFL Combine Results
Height
6-5
Weight
308 lbs
40-Yard Dash
4.96s
Bench Press
21 reps
Vertical Jump
22.5"
Broad Jump
107"
3-Cone Drill
7.40s
Shuttle
4.65s
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More from the 1996 Draft
| Rd | Pick | Team | Player | Pos | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |  NYJ |
 Keyshawn Johnson |
WR | USC, West Los Angeles College |
| 1 | 2 |  JAX |
 Kevin Hardy |
OLB |  Illinois |
| 1 | 3 |  ARI |
 Simeon Rice |
DE | Illinois |
| 1 | 4 |  BAL |
 Jonathan Ogden |
OT |  UCLA |
| 1 | 5 |  NYG |
 Cedric Jones |
DE |  Oklahoma |
| 1 | 6 |  LA |
 Lawrence Phillips |
RB |  Nebraska |
| 1 | 7 |  NE |
 Terry Glenn |
WR |  Ohio State |
| 1 | 8 |  CAR |
 Tim Biakabutuka |
RB |  Michigan |
| 1 | 9 |  LV |
 Rickey Dudley |
TE | Ohio State |
| 1 | 10 |  CIN |
 Willie Anderson |
OT |  Auburn |
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