ScoutIndex

BUF BUF

Shaq Thompson

OLB

A 1st-round pick (25th overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Washington, Shaq Thompson has built an NFL career since. Now with BUF, he's in his 12th NFL season. His 61.7 ScoutIndex Rating last season ranked in the 79th percentile among DEFs — solidly above average.

Size

6'0", 230#

College

Washington

Draft

Rd 1, 25th overall (2015)

Seasons

2015–2026

2019 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
72.8

92th percentile among DEFs

14 games

Splash plays×0.15-0.48
Pass rush×0.3+1.34
Ball skills×0.25-0.15
Run defense×0.2+2.93
Availability×0.1+0.89

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2025BUF61.712
2024CAR50.14
2023CAR33.72
2022CAR53.917
2021CAR7314
2020CAR64.216
2019CAR72.814
2018CAR57.414
2017CAR58.314
2016CAR56.512
2015CAR48.213

Career profile

Across 11 NFL seasons on file, Shaq Thompson has played in 132 regular-season games, playing for 2 teams: CAR (2015–2024), BUF (2025).

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2021: a 73.0, in the 92nd percentile among DEFs that year.

2019 splits

regular season

2019 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1LAR—51.7
Week 2TB—60.3
Week 3ARI—74
Week 4HOU—82
Week 5JAX—59.8
Week 6TB—42.1
Week 8SF—40.2
Week 9TEN—95.8
Week 10GB—57.3
Week 11ATL—63.9
Week 12NO—41.4
Week 13WAS—41.2
Week 14ATL—62.8
Week 15SEA—63.9

Shaq Thompson — common questions

What position does Shaq Thompson play?
Shaq Thompson is listed as an OLB.
Which teams has Shaq Thompson played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Shaq Thompson has played for CAR (2015–2024), BUF (2025).
Where did Shaq Thompson go to college?
Shaq Thompson played college football at Washington.
When was Shaq Thompson drafted?
Shaq Thompson was selected in round 1, 25th overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Shaq Thompson scored?
Shaq Thompson has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is Shaq Thompson's ScoutIndex Rating?
Shaq Thompson rated 61.7 for 2025, the 79th percentile among DEFs. Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 1, 2015

Also from Washington