Deionte Thompson – S (Alabama)
Thompson is another Alabama defender that many draft analysts figured could be off the board sometime on Day 2. It’s Day 3 now and he’s still there to be had.
Thompson is a bit of a gambler back there in the secondary and maybe that is why he’s still available. He will take chances and go for the big play, but the problem is that it doesn’t always work out. There is even less of a chance of those gambles paying off at the NFL level.
Teams want a consistent presence in the backend of their secondary. Thompson will need to stop trying to make the splash play and start making the little plays with more frequency.
There is plenty to like about this guy though. He’s 6-foot-1 and just under 200 pounds. He’s got long, lanky limbs and he is built the way Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer likes his secondary players to look.
Thompson can play the pass well and he is more than willing to help out in run support. He may need a year of seasoning, but as a rookie, he should be able to help out on special teams. He could give Minnesota some early value for a Day 3 pick.