Xavier Thomas Waived by Cardinals: A Numbers Game, Not a Talent Issue
Xavier Thomas’ first NFL stop didn’t end with a bang or a busted play - it ended the way so many young careers do in this league: caught in the roster shuffle. The Arizona Cardinals released the former Clemson standout, not because of a lack of talent, but because they had too many bodies at outside linebacker. It’s the kind of move that says more about the team’s depth chart than the player’s potential.
Drafted on Upside, Let Go for Fit
Thomas was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, taken 138th overall by Arizona. For a Day 3 selection, he came with a pedigree that turned heads - a two-time All-ACC defender, a national champion in 2018, and a former five-star recruit who played in high-leverage games from the moment he arrived at Clemson.
But in the NFL, potential only gets you so far. This season, Thomas found himself on the fringes of the Cardinals’ defensive plans.
He played in four games, logging just 15 defensive snaps and 42 on special teams. That kind of usage usually signals a player living on the edge of the 53-man roster - there, but not quite part of the weekly plan.
Flashbacks to a Promising Rookie Year
What makes this release sting a little more is that Thomas had already shown he could contribute at the pro level. As a rookie in 2024, he appeared in 14 games and put together a solid stat line: 10 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection. That’s the kind of rotational production that usually earns a second-year look, especially for a player still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.
At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Thomas fits the mold of a situational edge rusher - a guy who needs consistent reps to build rhythm and impact. But with Arizona’s linebacker room already crowded, those reps just weren’t there.
Clemson Roots: Talent, Tenacity, and Time
Thomas’ college career tells the story of a player who never stopped grinding. He came into Clemson as one of the top recruits in the nation and made an immediate impact in 2018, earning Freshman All-American honors. Over six seasons, he became one of the most experienced defenders in program history, playing in 61 games (30 starts) and racking up 133 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, and nine pass breakups.
His final season in 2023 was arguably his most complete. He led the team with 21 quarterback pressures and added 28 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 12 games. That kind of production - especially in a defense that values consistency as much as chaos - is what kept him on NFL radars, even after some ups and downs.
He also joined elite company at Clemson by appearing in over 60 games - a testament to both his durability and his value to the Tigers’ defense over the years.
What’s Next?
For Day 3 edge rushers, the NFL journey is rarely a straight line. It’s about timing, fit, and staying ready for when the next door opens. Thomas has enough on tape - both from his Clemson days and his rookie flashes - to stay in the mix for teams looking to bolster their pass rush down the stretch.
He’s shown he can contribute, both on defense and special teams, and in a league where depth is everything, that kind of versatility keeps you in the conversation.
The Cardinals chapter may be closed, but Thomas’ story isn’t. His next opportunity will come down to the same things that made him a household name at Clemson: reps, rhythm, and the right system. And if he finds that, don’t be surprised if he starts making noise again - this time with a little more volume.