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NFL Supplemental Draft: Scouting S Jalen Thompson’s fit with the Redskins

By Jacob Camenker

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 19: Wide receiver Jay MacIntyre #14 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by safety Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars after making a catch during the third quarter at Folsom Field on November 19, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Washington State 38-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 19: Wide receiver Jay MacIntyre #14 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by safety Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars after making a catch during the third quarter at Folsom Field on November 19, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Washington State 38-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones breaks a tackle by Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars for a touchdown in the third quarter during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones breaks a tackle by Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars for a touchdown in the third quarter during the Valero Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome on December 28, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Thompson’s strengths

At Washington State, Thompson was a highly productive member of the team’s secondary. In three years with the squad, he totaled 190 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 17 pass defenses, and eight interceptions while working in a variety of roles for the team’s defense. He should be a productive and versatile weapon for the NFL level as well.

Thompson is an intelligent player and it is apparent on tape. That combined with his strong athletic ability makes him a threat in space in both coverage and when making tackles. He is a well-rounded player with the potential to become a solid starter at the next level.

Cory Kinnan of NFL Spin Zone recently wrote a scouting report on Thompson and identified a couple of his notable areas of strength.

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"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."

These are things that the Redskins could sorely use. Having a safety to help in one-on-one coverage will be key, as the team struggled to cover tight ends with their linebackers last year. Thompson could be of service in that area and additionally, adding a solid open-field tackler to the mix would be nice.

There is a lot of upside with Thompson, and he demonstrates the traits needed to emerge as a solid starter. However, there are some downsides with him that will make him a bit of a risky pickup.

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