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Redskins 7-Round Mock Draft: Mid-February, pre-Combine edition

By Jacob Camenker

STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 4: Ross Comis #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen is sacked by Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 4: Ross Comis #2 of the Massachusetts Minutemen is sacked by Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after the LSU Tigers missed a second half field goal at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 03: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after the LSU Tigers missed a second half field goal at Tiger Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alabama won the game 29-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Redskins clearly need help at the safety position. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is going to be a free agent while D.J. Swearing was cut for repeatedly calling out his teammates and the coaching staff. Now, all the team has at the position is a couple of former fourth-round picks and Deshazor Everett.

While Montae Nicholson has been solid at times as a starter, the Redskins need to add some more talent to compete with the other options for a starting job. Also, they need depth. Deionte Thompson would provide both and could become a big playmaker for the team’s defense.

Thompson started the season well for Alabama, demonstrating great range and playmaking ability. However, later in the year, he struggled to stay disciplined in coverage and his stock will fall as a result. In particular, Thomspon had trouble in the College Football Playoff against Clemson. He took some poor angles and seemed late to react in certain coverage situations.

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Despite Thompson’s shortcomings, he’s still one of the best safeties in this draft class. It’s possible that he could be the best. With solid coaching, he could become a quality starter at the NFL level. He has the athletic ability and range to be a centerfield-type player that can succeed in coverage. It’s just a matter of whether or not he’ll be able to be that during his first season or if he’ll have to develop for a year before reaching his top level.

Some may be surprised to see Thompson last until the middle of the second round, but it remains a distinct possibility. In a down year for safeties, a lot of the guys may last until the second frame. Additionally, teams may opt for different types of safeties, like the hyper-versatile Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, ahead of Thompson. Either way, the Redskins could have a shot at him on Day 2.

Considering that Thompson was a potential option with the 15th pick at one point, this is a pretty good value. I also had the Redskins selecting Thompson at this juncture in my most recent full, two-round mock.

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