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2015 NFL Draft Combine Profile: Washington Outside Linebacker Shaq Thompson

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In a draft that is loaded with defensive studs, the most fascinating NFL prospect may be Washington Huskies linebacker Shaq Thompson. The outside linebacker isn’t big, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 231 pounds. It’s not the prototypical size of an NFL outside backer, but Thompson may be the next hybrid defender teams could utilize in a multitude of ways.

His size both helps and hinders him. While his speed may allow him to be great in open field and in coverage, it also allows him to get stuck on blocks. For any team that drafts him, it’s an interesting problem to have. Should they use him as purely an outside linebacker, or should they move him to safety, a position that he hasn’t played since high school?

Thompson is essentially the same size as Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor, and we all know what kind of intimidating force he is in the Seattle secondary. The only difference is Chancellor played safety in college, so a transition to safety would need to be welcomed by both Thompson and the organization for him to have success.

At his time in Washington, Thompson showed incredible ball skills, and he was always prone to make the big play. He is always focused on stripping the ball-carrier, but he can also lay the lumber. Thompson scored four defensive touchdowns in 2014, including becoming the first Husky to score multiple touchdowns in one game. Although his size may limit his capabilities in the run game, he should excel in pass coverage, especially against the big, athletic tight ends every team seems to have nowadays.

But enough on the defensive side of the ball. For how effective he was on defense, he was just as effective as a running back. He had 61 carries for 456 yards and two touchdowns in 2014. He was named the Paul Hornung award winner as the college athlete who showed the most versatility that season.

It should be interesting to see how he responds to questions about his position at the Combine, because he is sure to impress on the field. Either way, whichever team is lucky enough to draft Thompson will certainly have their hands on a top-notch playmaker.

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