5 safeties the Vikings could select in the 2019 NFL draft

Deionte Thompson (Alabama)

Measurements:

Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 195 pounds

2018 Stats:

• 78 total tackles (3.5 for a loss)
• 6 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions

Thompson is one of the higher ranking safeties from this year’s draft class. He’s a guy who could go in the late first to mid-second round range due in large part to his ability in pass coverage.

Thompson is great in coverage and he clings to his man like Saran Wrap. He is great at anticipating routes and he isn’t afraid to jump in front of an opposing receiver to break up a pass. Occasionally this will get Thompson in trouble, but other times it pays off with an interception. He is a gambler, which some coaches may like and others not so much.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer likes his safeties tall and Thompson checks in at 6-foot-1. He could stand to bulk up a bit, but he can still deliver big hits to opposing running backs or pass catchers coming over the middle.

Thompson is a bit of a shoulder tackler and he doesn’t always wrap up. That being said, he is more than a willing hitter and he isn’t afraid to throw his body at a ball carrier who is going full speed.

He has good overall speed and he can cover a ton of ground in a hurry. Thompson did miss the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine after he underwent surgery on his wrist in February, so teams will be monitoring his recovery from that very closely.

Minnesota could be sitting there at pick No. 50 in the second round this year and see a handful of safeties they like still on the board. It would be hard to imagine this SEC battle-tested, former member of the Crimson Tide not being at the top of that list.