Should the Redskins draft Jalen Thompson in the supplemental draft?

The Redskins drafted Adonis Alexander in the sixth round of the supplemental draft last offseason. Could they use another selection in the summer’s draft this year?

There’s no denying the Washington Redskins could. There’s a pair of draft-worthy defensive backs set to be available in the supplemental draft, most notably Washington State safety Jalen Thompson. With a safety core battling modest uncertainty, the Redskins could do worse than supplementing their roster through the draft.

See what I did there?

Bad puns aside, the Redskins have the ability to make a move for Thompson, and they have some good reasoning as well. But, when considering all the underlying factors, should they?

For a more in-depth look at Thompson, you can read this article by our own Jacob Camenker. But in a paragraph or less, he’s a fluid mover who has the athleticism and on-field I.Q. to thrive, and the production to prove it. However, his slight frame may hinder his ability to stay on the field in the NFL, and his testing positive for a banned substance is a red flag; one that led him to the supplemental draft, in fact.

Per Jordan Dajani of 247 Sports, while the Redskins didn’t send any in-house envoys to Thompson’s public workout on Monday, they did enlist the work of BLESTO scouting service, to video Thompson’s workout and provide medical records. So there is some limited interest on Washington’s front.

That interest comes with a solid foundation. Thompson is a young defensive back with athletic upside and instincts, at a position that could wind up being a need if Montae Nicholson doesn’t progress as planned in 2019. But in the end, it comes down to cost.

There’s always a degree of mystery surrounding the cost of supplemental draft players, but Thompson has been rumored to be considered by teams as early as Round 2.  If Thompson were to be picked there, the Redskins would have no chance at picking him, unless they used their first-round pick instead. For most supplemental draft picks, that shouldn’t even be considered. Thompson, for all his upside, doesn’t transcend that boundary.

Of course, the Round 2 theory is merely a projection, and Thompson could slip. The consensus seems to fall on the notion that Thompson is a mid-round pick, who could, similarly to Sam Beal last year, be picked in the Day 2 range. For the Redskins, it’s dangerous ground, especially when there are suitable options on the roster already.

In short, Thompson has much more upside than Adonis Alexander had last year, but the price to obtain him could be relatively hefty for Washington. If he goes in Round 2, then the Redskins have no choice in the matter; he’s not theirs. And if he slips beyond that point, other teams ahead of Washington in the waiver order could scoop him up in Round 3. That seems to be another likely conclusion.

Thus, the Redskins may have to force the issue if they want to get Thompson. I love adding young talent. But I’m not on board with that. If he falls to their spot in Round 3, consider it. If he falls to Round 4, somehow, then pull the trigger without a second thought. But don’t force the issue. That’s just one of many ways to dig a hole in the NFL.

What do you think the Redskins should do? Should they take a risk on supplemental draft prospect Jalen Thompson? Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section below!