Redskins prospect Deionte Thompson likely to miss NFL Combine

Luck always plays a hand in the NFL Draft, and that could be the case this year for the Redskins, as it has been in years past as well.

In 2017, rumors of a shoulder injury forced top defensive lineman Jonathan Allen to fall to the Washington Redskins at pick No. 17, where he was subsequently picked up. Since then, he’s developed into a borderline Pro Bowl caliber player, and he could be on the cusp of much greater recognition.

In 2018, star running back Derrius Guice was expected to be a mid-to-late first-round pick as one of the best overall prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft. But phantom character concerns caused the energetic runner to slide, and he was snagged by the Redskins in Round 2. The Redskins traded back, added a third-rounder, and still grabbed Guice, pulling off a masterful draft-day trade, and adding a top talent in the process.

The Redskins have capitalized on opportunity in the past two NFL Drafts, but they’ve needed a bit of luck to pull off some steals. That’s the nature of the NFL Draft; quality players always slip, for whatever reason, and this year, a standout from Alabama’s vaunted defense could fit that description. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Crimson Tide safety Deionte Thompson will not be attending the NFL Combine, due to surgery for a torn wrist ligament.

This is big news, not just for Thompson, but for the flow of the NFL Draft itself. Thompson was regarded as a raw fringe first-round prospect at safety, with the expectation that he’d give scouts more confidence at the combine, pertaining to his athleticism. Now that he won’t have the chance to do that, he’ll likely slip, as scouts will be unsure how to quantify his physical traits.

For the Redskins, this is especially notable. The team has had a preference for Alabama defensive players over the past two years, and there’s no doubt that Thompson is on their board, with such a pressing need at safety. In light of recent developments, Thompson will undoubtedly fall into Round 2, and the uncertainty of his situation could push him back even further. On Day 2, Thompson would be great value for the Redskins.

It’s worth noting that Thompson is by no means a home run prospect. He has issues with diagnosing and processing from the back end, and his athleticism is a question. His game needs some refinement. He’s not a complete project like Troy Apke; he’d likely be able to start right away, given his competence in other areas. But there would be growing pains. Whatever the case, the Redskins need to add the most value possible in the 2019 NFL Draft, and if Thompson slips, which is now very likely, they’ll get their chance.