Report: Rams showing interest in supplemental draft prospect Jalen Thompson

[CGI_Ram]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/07/09/nfl-supplemental-draft-jalen-thompson-rams-interest/

Report: Rams showing interest in supplemental draft prospect Jalen Thompson

With Lamarcus Joyner on his way out in free agency, the Los Angeles Rams sunk major assets into the safety position this offseason. They signed Eric Weddle after he was cut by the Ravens and then drafted both Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott.

There’s a chance they’re not done addressing the position, either.

According to Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline, the Rams were among the teams “lining up” to meet with supplemental draft prospect Jalen Thompson at his pro day on Monday. A total of 26 teams attended the defensive back’s workout.

Thompson entered the supplemental draft after losing his final year of eligibility at Washington State for violating NCAA rules. Had he declared for the 2019 draft, he could have been a Day 2 or 3 pick.

Thompson weighed in at 5-foot-10, 186 pounds at his pro day with 31 1/4-inch arms. He’s not the biggest safety around, but he has the requisite size and speed to play the position in the NFL. He also clocked 4.47 and 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which is plenty fast.

At Washington State, he was a three-year starter. He racked up 190 total tackles, six interceptions and 17 passes defensed, showing off good ball skills in 2017 with four interceptions – good for third in the Pac-12.

His fit with the Rams wouldn’t be immediately clear, but at the very least he could contribute on special teams. With Weddle and John Johnson in line to start, and Rapp backing them up, Los Angeles is plenty deep at safety.

The supplemental draft begins on Wednesday and is conducted over email. Teams submit bids on players using 2020 draft picks, so if someone bids a fourth-round pick on Thompson, that team will lose its fourth-rounder in 2020.

 

[den-the-coach]

Jalen Thompson, S, Washington State – Attributes, Strengths
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190 pounds
Year: Junior

2016 Production
35 solo tackles
3 tackles for loss
7 passes defended
1 forced fumble

2017 Production
46 solo tackles
5.5 tackles for loss
4 interceptions
2 passes defended

2018 Production
40 solo tackles
3 tackles for loss
2 interceptions
8 passes defended
1 forced fumble

*Thompson is scheduled to work out for teams; no testing numbers to this point.
Strengths
Thompson offers a ton of flexibility to a potential defense, as he plays in the nickel, over the top of the defense, and even creeps toward the line of scrimmage on occasions.

It is evident by watching Thompson pre-snap that he is an extremely intelligent player, and often calling audibles and making adjustments to the secondary; it is rare that he is in the wrong position by the time the ball is snapped.

On outside runs, sweeps and swings, Thompson is talented about getting out into space. He takes great angles to meet the ball carrier as close to the line of scrimmage as possible and is more than a sufficient open field tackler.

While Thompson will never be placed on an island and his reps in man coverage should be limited, he is no slouch in one-on-one battles against backs, tight ends and receivers. He is a great umbrella over-the-top as well, evidenced by his six career interceptions over the last two years of his career.

Jalen Thompson, S, Washington State – Weaknesses, Summary

Weaknesses
Against the run, Thompson struggles to get off of blockers and tends to tip-toe around the action as the pile continues to drag forward. On wide runs to his side, there are times when Thompson should be in the picture, but as the play continues, he does not show up. If he is not immediately involved in the play, then he has a tendency to take the play off. He is plenty inconsistent against the run.

While he can be used inside the box, he struggles there, so unless he makes intense improvements there, keep Thompson over the top of the defense or in the slot in the boundaries.

Summary
Selecting a player in the Supplemental Draft can be risky business, and not many players are worth investing a high pick into. Josh Gordon was given to the Cleveland Browns with a second round pick, Terrelle Pryor to the Oakland Raiders with a third.

Teams who wanted a safety in the 2019 NFL Draft but may have waited too long may see Thompson as a second chance to get a guy as talented as a Juan Thornhill or Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

https://nflspinzone.com/2019/07/01/2019-nfl-supplemental-draft-jalen-thompson-player-profile/3/

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

"tends to tip-toe around the action" Doesn't sound like our type .

 

[Corbin]

I don’t see fire with this smoke.

 

[dang]

"tends to tip-toe around the action" Doesn't sound like our type .

We have tip toe tackling covered with Peters.

 

[Merlin]

Was reportedly an over the counter usage violation of some kind. Keep hearing Joyner comparisons but Joyner was a little dog with a big dog mentality who could hit and tackle far better than his size suggested while also giving teams some coverage ability for nickel use.

I see a nickel back in his first year or two because he's got really good coverage instincts and routinely mans up well on his film. But his tackling is not good. Rams might see him as a development option for a single high usage, but it seems to me that other teams are going to want him more than we will given NRC being one of the game's best right now at nickel. Look for a team that has a big slot need to snap him up with a round 2 bid IMO.

Here's one of his games vs USC (#34). Note his opportunity to make the tackle on the first run ...


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFmp0uyfHH0

 

[OldSchool]

A total of 29 teams are interested in him and went to his workout.

 

[RamFan503]

I suspect our being there is out of due diligence but I would be surprised if we make a move for him.

 

[FrantikRam]

We don't really have a backup for NRC. I'm sure Long will play in the slot if needed, but it'd be nice to get a designated backup for nickel CB. Would probably bump Peterson off the roster.

 

[Merlin]

We don't really have a backup for NRC. I'm sure Long will play in the slot if needed, but it'd be nice to get a designated backup for nickel CB. Would probably bump Peterson off the roster.

Not to mention that second round pick we still have next year is probably driving Snead crazy...

 

[RamFan503]

We don't really have a backup for NRC. I'm sure Long will play in the slot if needed, but it'd be nice to get a designated backup for nickel CB. Would probably bump Peterson off the roster.

I'm going to guess that is more Long's spot in the NFL.

 

[Kevin]

Arizona took DB Jalen Thompson in the fifth round.

 

[Rams43]

I never thought that the Rams were ever seriously interested in Thompson in the Supplemental.

First, where was the big need for a S or nickel CB in the first place? To justify a supplemental pick, I mean? This Ram secondary could be one of the league’s very best already.

And then there’s the fact that the Rams are already loaded at virtually every other position. So, where was the big need anywhere?

Third, were any of these 5 players all that, really?

Much better to have Snead with that pick in his hand to move around with next draft, if necessary. Like when a gem has fallen near where Rams pick?

 

[Akrasian]

I'm glad. I want the Rams to have all their draft picks and a couple of supplemental picks for a change. I know the Rams will move around a lot in the draft, but the more ammo they have the better shot they'll have to pick up the players they want the most - including players to fill the holes that won't be obvious until the season has run its course.