Shaq Thompson LB Washington #7
Wt: 228
[level-scouting-reports]
Size/Athleticism: Phenomenal natural athlete. Two-player player at linebacker and running back.
Run Defense: Elite range but take-on ability is lacking due to size. Does a nice job avoiding contact, but once he’s blocked he’s done. Fast enough to make plays in pursuit. Can fly into the backfield when given a lane, and has elite closing speed. Takes inconsistent angles—and got away with it too often in college which reinforced the mistakes. Not a wrap up tackler. Tends to go for the big hit and tries a little too hard to go for the strip, rather than just wrapping up the ball carrier.
Pass Rush: Capable of catching teams off-guard with an occasional blitz due to his impressive closing speed, but he’s not a consistent threat. Without a clean path to the quarterback, he’s a non-factor due to his size.
Coverage: Does a great job dropping into zone coverage. Capable of reading the quarterback and making adjustments based on his eyes. Occasionally lines up in coverage in the slot, but usually only when dropping in zone. Some limited experience at safety.
Intangibles: Lined up all over the field. Played inside and outside linebacker and even played some safety. Former minor league baseball player.
Durability: No known issues, but his lack of size certainly raises some concern.
[/level-scouting-reports]
Overview: Thompson is a unique two-way player, who will likely be viewed strictly as a linebacker rather than a running back by NFL teams. His size will limit the number of teams interested in his services, but he could fill a valuable role at linebacker for certain teams due to his coverage skills and his ability to make plays in pursuit against the run. To bring him in with an early pick, a team will need to have a very specific role in mind for him. He isn’t the type of guy you can simply plug in as a three-down linebacker. Coaches will need to be certain that he fits their scheme and that they have a rotation in place for situations that may not fit his skill set.
