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Dc chillin
— Phillip Thomas (@Phil_Me16) April 9, 2013
The Redskins continue their draft preparation with Fresno State Safety, Phillip Thomas, which Grant Paulsen also reported yesterday. Also in the house is
ESPN 980 has learnedNC State DB (CB) 6'1" David Amerson is scheduled to visit #Redskins Park Wednesday. Strong interest in versatility.
— ESPN 980 (@ESPNRadio980) April 9, 2013
Some info on Phillip Thomas...
Height: 6-1 Weight: 208
40 Time: 4.57
Projected Round: 2-3
Via his NFL.com profile:
STRENGTHS
Athletic, physical defender. Strong tackler with good length and the attitude to throw down ballcarrier. Breaks down well when approaching ballcarriers in space, has quick feet and agility to make the stop. Quick enough to stay with tight ends and some receivers in coverage, can undercut to knock away or pick off late throws. Nice ball skills to extend away from his frame to make the moderate-to-difficult interception. Sticks his nose in against the run when making that read, fills a hole, flows through traffic to find the ball, or adds himself into piles with reckless abandon. Comes downhill from two-deep look with speed. Adept blitzer off the edge, makes ballcarrier pay in thebackfield if not accounted for.
WEAKNESSES
Missed 2011 season due to a leg injury. Not corner-like in his change of direction ability in man coverage against quicker receivers, though more than adequate for an NFL safety. Can get nosy on play action, getting sucked up or failing to drop deep enough when starting around the line. Loses battles against better receiver blocks in the run game. Needs to prove he has the strength to stop pro ballcarriers in their tracks and be an intimidator in the back half when receivers come over the middle.
NFL COMPARISON Reggie Nelson
BOTTOM LINE A gruesome left leg injury forced Thomas to question his potential NFL future, but the senior was everywhere in 2012 and looked as good as new. He gets a bit tentative when closing on ball carriers, choosing not to meet them at the line of scrimmage unless lined up in the box, but Thomas thrives at going up and getting it in coverage. Reggie Nelson was mainly a center fielding safety while at Florida and during the early parts of his career, but transformed his game with solid coaching. Thomas may be able to do the same.