2015 NFL Scouting Report: Shaq Thompson
Brett Anderson
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][Editor’s note: This is another installment in a series we will be running at Vikings Territory providing scouting reports for players the Vikings could potentially target in the 2015 Draft. All scouting reports are provided in partnership with Luke Inman and eDraft.com. You can find all of our previous scouting reports here. Continue reading below to learn more about Shaq Thompson, the versatile, hybrid linebacker from the University of Washington.]
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Shaq Thompson
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Linebacker / Washington
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Winner of the Paul Hornung award given to the nation’s most versatile player after he lined up at middle linebacker, outside linebacker, safety, and running back. In 2014, Thompson scored six touchdowns, two as a running back and four on defense.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row custom_title=”Measurables” css=”.vc_custom_1425269593739{margin-bottom: 32px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 228 lbs.
Hand Size: 9-1/2″
Arm Length: 33″[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]40 Yard Dash: 4.64 seconds
Vertical Jump: 33.5 inches
Bench Press: N/A
Broad Jump: 117 inches[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]3 Cone Drill: 6.99 seconds
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.08 seconds
60 Yard Shuttle: N/A[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][td_ad_box spot_id=”content_bottom”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row custom_title=”Spider Graph (courtesy of Mockdraftable.com)”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
The above spider graph, courtesy of Mockdraftable.com, shows what percentile this player is against other players at the same position. Clicking the “Measurements & Comparisons” tab on the bottom of the graphic will show additional Measurements information along with player comparisons from the Mockdraftable.com database based strictly off historic measurable data.
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Pros:
- Incredible football instincts as he has a knack for big plays and is always around the football
- Versatile player who lined up at multiple positions and excelled at each of them, rushing for over 1,000 yards at running back, and playing both linebacker and safety
- Reads the play, and reacts quickly, while using his superb acceleration to reach the ball carrier
- Covers a ton of ground in a flash, allowing him to help his teammates and seem like he’s in two places at once
- Does a good job of taking on blockers with his agility as he slithers his way around them to make the tackle
- Explodes into the backfield and knifes his way into the ball carrier with lightning quickness and authority
- Has all the intangibles to be considered a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker getting from point A to point B in a heartbeat
- From a technique and skill standpoint, he is a nightmare for opposing tight ends and running backs in the flats and into their routes, as he stays in the hip pocket of his opponent and has the speed to keep up with the most athletic players
- Not many better at dropping into a zone defense and being able to read and mirror the eyes of the quarterback, making him a nightmare for any QB who has the desire to bail out of the pocket
- With his vision as a running back, football intelligence, and hard hitting nature, he will be a special teams ace for any team from Day One
- His time on both offense and defense (at multiple positions) will translate quickly into the NFL, helping him dissect NFL playbooks easier than most to go along with his sharp football I.Q.
- Great acceleration and agility allows him to blitz the quarterback effectively and force them into quick decisions
- Explosive player who brings a high intensity to the field and lifts the energy of the players around him
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Cons:
- Got away with his small size/frame in college, but will have a much harder time in the pros if he lines up as a linebacker for all three downs
- Gets washed away far too easily against the run when he gets locked up with a lineman, mostly due to his light weight and lack of overall big boy strength
- Lacks a natural position which throws up red flags to NFL scouts as to whether or not he can be an every down player
- Doesn’t possess a naturally large frame conducive to bulking up, at least not without losing his best assets like his speed and agility
- Forced to “go around” blockers instead of taking them head on due to his size/strength and will take questionable angles to do so in the process
- Displays a poor technique when tackling, at times putting his head down and losing sight of his target
- Will show the speed to contact when attacking the ball carrier, but does not always wrap up properly (leg tackles) and will allow him to get free
- His overly aggressive nature gets him into trouble at times, specifically in coverage where he is quick to jump on his receivers first route, often playing catch up on double moves
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NFL Player Comparison:
Ryan Shazier
College Scheme / Projected Scheme:
4-3/3-4 Hybrid (College) – Sub packages/3-2-5 (Pros)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
Fit with the Vikings:
No matter their opinion of Thompson as a possible first round pick, every defensive coach could justify taking a Day Two chance on Thompson, who has uncanny football awareness and is able to process the game at such a high speed. While his lack of a true position is viewed as a weakness, his versatility for the Huskies is likely viewed by Mike Zimmer as a huge advantage, and Zimmer would likely plug him into various sub-packages as a valuable chess piece.
As of now, the Vikings could use an upgrade at linebacker and at the strong safety position, meaning there is currently a void in which Thompson could fill. The only question is “at what level of investment?” Unless Zimmer puts some of his voodoo magic on him, Thompson likely won’t be a three-down linebacker, meaning he will be limited in his role as a sub-package player. This seemingly makes it very unlikely Rick Spielman would expunge a valuable first round pick to acquire Thompson. Of course, a permanent switch to strong safety seems like the most realistic option to keep Thompson on the field as much as possible while maximizing his skill set. However, he has made it clear he wants to continue his career at linebacker.
Why not both? With Zimmer calling the shots and drawing up the plays no stone goes unturned in his elaborate and exotic defensive packages. Thompson may be able to call more than one position “home” while letting down and distance dictate where he lines up. As everyone knows, Zimmer is highly effective at utilizing his players and putting them into a position to succeed, meaning if the team does pull the trigger on this versatile phenom then Vikings fans should rest easy knowing Zimmer will get the most out of him and turn him into an impact player.
In Zimmer’s base 4-3 defense Thompson would likely be your starting strong safety, opposite of Harrison Smith, where he would be effective against the run from the third level of the defense. While during obvious passing downs he would likely slip into the box as the other nickel linebacker, next to Anthony Barr, where he can blitz the “A” gap and take on tight-ends and running backs in zone coverage. Don’t limit the idea of Thompson in purple to just those two positions though, as Zimmer could find more packages and multiple roles for him as his career progresses.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1425269574902{margin-bottom: 32px !important;padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;background-color: #582d83 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear”]
Draft Grade:
Early Second Round
Thompson was one of the most prolific players in all of college football after lining up at both running back and linebacker and helping the Huskies to another solid season as the most versatile player in the nation. Due to his small frame and size, however, teams are having a hard time justifying drafting him in round one, as it is unknown if he can be an every down player. Instead, he may be forced into a niche role as a sub-package player, diminishing his value. He may also need to make a move to safety, which is not his desire. Still, a player like this, one who shows the football instincts and knack for big plays, only comes around every so often. That makes it hard to imagine he will get out of the top 40 picks, despite his lack of natural size and strength.
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Check out the below Draft Profile Breakdown of Shaq Thompson courtesy of eDraft.com.
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