NFL Miami Dolphins

Shaq Thompson Makes Most Sense For Miami Dolphins In 2015 NFL Draft

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By @CouchGuyFB

Shaq Thompson, Miami Dolphins

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Much was made of the Miami Dolphins’ late season defensive collapse, and for good reason. Over the last six games, the Dolphins simply couldn’t stop anybody, allowing 193 points and 992 yards on the ground. If Miami hopes to avoid another implosion, serious help on the defensive side of the ball is needed. Assuming that the Dolphins can retain free agent defensive lineman Jared Odrick, the biggest need the unit has is at linebacker. Enter Washington’s Shaq Thompson.

Thompson is nothing short of a physical freak. At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Thompson played linebacker, safety and running back, was a first team AP All-American, and joined the ranks of Tavon Austin and Odell Beckham, Jr. as a Paul Hornung Award winner. The Hornung award goes to college football’s most versatile player, and versatility is exactly what the Dolphins need.

If Thompson is able to come in and occupy a spot in the middle, and supplement improving outside players Jelani Jenkins and Dion Jordan, the Dolphins would immediately have one of the most physically gifted young linebacker corps in the league. On the other hand, if the Dolphins have designs on putting him outside, his pass defense skills would allow the defense to focus on wide receiver threats and leave Thompson in single coverage on pass catching tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. In the absolute worst case scenario, he could even line up on offense and run the ball, which he did very effectively in college, especially the three weeks of this past season where he was the featured back due to injuries for Washington.

It’s obvious that the Dolphins have been just a piece or two away from the playoffs for the last few years, and Thompson is exactly the kind of player who can make an impact from day one at a number of positions. His versatility makes him quite possibly the most unique player in the draft, and in a league where more athletic, hybrid types are in vogue, Thompson fits the bill perfectly. If the Dolphins are lucky enough to have him fall to the 14th pick. Expect Miami to bring him to South Florida.

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