Shaq Thompson: Triple Threat or Wasted Pick

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If you ask three different NFL scouts what Shaq Thompson’s best position is, the odds are good that you would get three different answers.

In case you weren’t aware, Thompson played multiple positions during his time at the University of Washington. At any given time, you could find him at safety, outside linebacker, and/or running back. What complicates matters is that he was quite good at all of them, leading to a discussion about what his place is in an NFL defense and where he ranks among the draft candidates at that position.

Just quickly running through his measurables, Thompson checks in at 6’0”, and 228 pounds with 33-inch arms and 9 ½-inch hands. He ran his 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in 4.64 seconds and had the best 20-yard shuttle time of the linebacker group at 4.08 seconds.

Ultimately, his NFL team will dictate where he lines up on Sundays. But as dynasty owners, particularly those who play IDP, we are left trying to figure out what kind of value Thompson may hold.

The best way to attack this is to break him down as three separate prospects. Assessing his strengths and weaknesses at linebacker, separate from safety, separate from running back should give us some insight as to how NFL teams will use him.

Running Back

We are starting at running back for two reasons. First, this is the smallest sample size. Thompson spent more time on defense than he did on offense, so his tape and stats are smaller. Second, the likelihood that Thompson is drafted and used primarily as a running back is small. But the chance exists, plus even if he is drafted as a defensive player, his team could install a package of plays for him. The funny part is, his own college coach, Chris Petersen, said his best position is probably running back.

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The 2014 season marked the only time Thompson got carries in an actual game. In 14 games, he carried 61 times for 456 yards and two touchdowns – that’s an average of just over four carries per game and 7.5 yards per carry.

It’s hard to find much tape on Thompson running the football. Even highlight reels only show Thompson bursting through the hole untouched for a score or running out of bounds, making it hard to evaluate him as a running back. Still, you do see an explosive burst through the hole and excellent acceleration. What you can’t judge is his change of direction or the ability to absorb or deliver a hit.

As a fantasy running back prospect for me, I would have him somewhere around RB13 right now. If he is drafted as a full-time running back he has the potential to the RB5-7 in this draft class.

Safety

With all due respect to NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, who has Thompson as his second rated safety, defensive back is Thompson’s lesser of his two positions on that side of the ball.

Thompson is turnover generating machine no matter where he is playing on defense. As a safety he is a keen ball-hawk and plays with good range. He uses his speed and quickness to close on the ball carrier and deliver the blow.

Thompson’s best defensive trait is that he is always around the ball, which leads to his high turnover rate. He is decent at best in coverage, either at safety or linebacker. He is looking to make a play on the ball first, then play the man. With that, he is a much better at zone than man, giving him the opportunity to freelance.

As a fantasy option, he would actually carry quite a bit of value in big play leagues. I would compare him to a Tyrann Mathieu-type, not necessarily in terms of style of play, but when the Honey Badger came out he had a reputation as a turnover machine, just like Thompson. However, because of the weakness of this year’s class at safety, Thompson would immediately jump to my second ranked safety on my board as well.

Linebacker

Linebacker is Thompson’s best position, and the one he prefers to play on the NFL level. While he may need to add some weight, his speed and quickness will help him get to plays that other linebackers can’t.

A lot of Thompson’s traits at safety translate directly to linebacker. Dropping down a level gives him a chance to be in on more plays, thus having more chances at big plays. He will probably never lead your team in tackles, so he is more suited for big play leagues at this position as well.

In nickel packages Thompson will probably move to a linebacker role, though he is not much of a blitzer, so he will be asked to chase and tackle, which he excels at.

He plays downhill, attacking the line of scrimmage and ball carrier with a fervor. Just like at safety, Thompson is looking to create the turnover first, then make the tackle second. While there are better pure-tackling linebackers in this draft, he does a good enough job.

For fantasy purposes, Thompson provides the most value at the linebacker position. Linebackers are traditionally more valuable than defensive backs in IDP play and coupled with the fact that it’s his best position, you really are hoping this is the way it plays out. That way, you get the maximum number of tackles, probably the same number of fumble recoveries, even if you give back an interception or two. If you get some bonus points from the running back side, it’s just icing on the cake. I currently have him as my LB6 heading into the draft.

Recap

Every year there are players whose dynasty value can fluctuate depending on the team they are drafted by. Thompson is a unique case in that not only who drafts him, but what they draft him as, will influence his price.

His riskiest position will be running back, not only because he will be hard to evaluate, but he will have a much larger learning curve on the NFL level. Being drafted as a safety helps his NFL value, but could diminish his value depending on your league’s IDP settings.

Even drafting Thompson at his best position of linebacker isn’t without risks. As noted above, he will need to add weight to play NFL linebacker on a week-in, week-out basis.

So, is he worth a pick in your IDP league? I would say yes, but he’s probably at best a third-round selection. Just be aware that he is very much a boom or bust candidate.

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