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Washington Redskins 2017 Draft Profiles: Tedric Thompson, FS

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2017 NFL prospects that could contribute to the Redskins

By Gabe Ward
Colorado v USC Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

Tedric Thompson, FS
School: Colorado | Conference: PAC-12
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 210 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th or 5th Round
NFL Comparison: Ron Parker

College Statistics

Player Overview

There are very few players in power five conferences that have had as good a year statistically as Tedric Thompson has had. The senior produced big time after coming off a decent junior season. Thompson has impressive range and always seems to around the ball at the right time. His vision and anticipation skills will definitely turn the heads of front offices looking for help on the back end. A popular knock on Thompson is his supposed lack of physicality. I don’t think that's an entirely fair criticism. While Thompson has his questionable moments bringing down the ball carrier he does have consistent tackle production over the course of his career. He won’t be Kam Chancellor but do you want him to be or do you want him patrolling the field?

Strengths

  • Great athleticism. Thompson has the speed and acceleration to make up a lot of ground while the ball is in the air. Some of the deflections and interceptions he made this year were insane and they can be attributed from the great jump and breaks Thompson gets. Has great leaping ability and can break up a play by vertically getting to the ball before the receiver can.
  • Good anticipation and instincts for the position. Thompson's eyes are always in the backfield watching where the QB is going with the ball.
  • Excellent overall cover skills.

Weaknesses

  • Over aggressive at times trying to jump routes leading to occasional blown coverages.
  • Needs to work on tackling technique. Goes high a lot of the time and relies solely on his arms and doesn't use his core a lot of the time.
  • Slender frame despite measurements. Could stand to add quality mass.

Let’s see his work:

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

If Thompson posts good combine numbers which he will because of his athleticism he’s going to be a big riser come draft time. I think he ends up somewhere in the 3rd round. If for whatever reason the Redskins don’t pick a safety in the first two rounds of the draft a look Thompson’s way would be fine by me. The Redskins haven’t had a good athlete much less a player with good cover skills at the FS position since the great Sean Taylor. Thompson will never be him but he would provide the cover and range skills that have been lacking at the position for years.

As with most cover defenders with an aggressive mindset, Thompson is going to blow his share of coverages in the NFL in hopes of trying to make a play. Hopefully, with good coaching, he can become more disciplined in both his reads and in tackling. I’m not sure if he’s ready to be thrown into the fire as a starter but he definitely is the type of player that could come on strong after half a season of experience in the NFL and has the obvious upside to get better with each passing year if he works toward it.

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