The offseason is known for its heavy amounts of speculation, but the Redskins are not immune to such a thing during the season, either.
Ironically, it’s easier to avoid speculation when your team is less complete. The needs are more defined. To quote the overused saying, they stand out like a sore thumb.
Complete teams fall victim to midseason speculation. Who knows what they’re going to do in the offseason? Who will stay? Who will go? Building a complete team is every front office’s eventual goal, but once achieved, there is the inevitable question: What next?
The Washington Redskins could very well have a complete team budding this season. Their 24-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals was a full team effort, and players shined on both sides of the ball, at practically every position. It makes it hard to predict what the team’s top needs might be in 2019, so we found a common denominator, and it took us to a university in the nation’s heartland: Alabama.
Alabama linebacker? Check times two. Alabama defensive lineman? Check and double check. Alabama defensive back? That box remains empty. Thus, here’s a look at Crimson Tide defensive back Deionte Thompson.
Deionte Thompson Player Breakdown
At 6-foot-2, 196, Deionte Thompson has a frame similar to a current Redskins safety. Length is one of the key traits of every defensive back, and Thompson is not lacking in that regard.
However, to utilize physical traits properly, players must have a mind for the game. When you hear about a player being more of an athlete than a football player, that’s what it means.
Thompson is a stellar athlete, but he’s still an athlete playing football, to a degree. He has the length and speed to be a dangerous, rangy center fielder, and he’s fluid enough with his feet and his hips where he could have a degree of versatility in coverage, if he can continue to study and learn as he hones his skills. He’ll never be the do-it-all chess piece that Minkah Fitzpatrick is (Few may live up to that standard), but his sheer talent could be an excellent addition to any NFL defensive backfield.
Combine Thompson’s individual traits with the typical tenacious style of every Crimson Tide defender, and you have a prospect to be wanted, and to be feared by the teams who wind up missing out on him. He’s still somewhat raw, as most college players are, but he has the potential to be a game changer, with the ability to play both single high and cover his man on the line.
Deionte Thompson 2018 Performance Update
In 2017, Thompson played in nine games for the Crimson Tide, and as a reserve player, he managed to record 25 total tackles, one sack, an interception and a pass deflection.
Now serving as a starter on the vaunted Alabama defense, Thompson has already surpassed some of those numbers, in just two games. Through 2018 so far, Thompson has accrued 11 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception, and three passes defensed.
Now in his junior season, Thompson’s progression, from a production standpoint, is encouraging to see. He flies around the field, eager both to make plays on the ball and find ways to impact the battle in the backfield as well. There’s a reason the Redskins have favored the Alabama brand in recent years; It’s a brand that doesn’t often disappoint.
Want to see Thompson’s brand in action? Alabama plays Ole Miss today at 7:00 PM eastern standard time.
Relevance to the Redskins
I’d be lying if I said Deionte Thompson being a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide had nothing to do with me writing about him. It had quite a bit to do with me writing about him. But one must be prepared for all scenarios.
On the surface, the Redskins don’t have a need at safety, and Thompson isn’t known for his versatility to play cornerback. But what if Montae Nicholson, who has gotten off to a strong start this season, has recurring injury problems, or his play regresses? D.J. Swearinger‘s contract expires after the 2019 season, and behind them, the Redskins don’t have a dearth of depth. I may or may not be wearing a tinfoil hat right now.
More likely than not, the Redskins go into 2019 with the same starters at safety, and if Swearinger continues to play well and be a leader, he could get an extension that spans past his 30th birthday. But there’s always that “what if” factor. If things don’t go as planned, the Redskins could end up investing heavily in the defensive backfield next offseason. Thompson has the traits to be a solution to any problem that arises.
And reunited with his Alabama brothers, he’d be bound to wreak havoc. Like this player selection? If not, don’t worry. There’s plenty of time left in the college football season, and every Saturday, we’ll send the spotlight somewhere else. Who will it fall on next weekend? An interior offensive lineman? An edge rusher? Stick with us here at Riggo’s Rag to find out.