gettlemanjack

the latest big board by Rotoworld's Josh Notris has Shaq as the #18 overall prospect in the draft 18. LB Shaq Thompson , Washington NFL Comparison: Thomas Davis/b] Where He Wins: Quickness, speed, comfort and aggression. Many linemen are now more scared of linebackers who use athleticism to get around blocks rather than meet them face up. The game seems to slow down for Thompson when attempting to force fumbles or make a play on the ball. Has displayed man coverage skills, which is tough to find at the position at the college level. Don't worry about his position, just his role. http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/53780/325/nfl-draft-rankings-top-200

Tony Pauline on Feb 23: "The Atlanta Falcons will be looking for a pass rusher in the upcoming draft and during the final days of the combine the name of Shane Ray was constantly associated with the franchise as their leading choice in round one."

What would the smoke screen be? Everyone already has the Falcons pegged as taking a pass rusher. They aren't telling us anything new

April 24 Bill Polian calls Shane Ray “Near a Hall of Fame player. People who don’t like him are going to say he’s narrow of build and therefore can’t stand on the line of scrimmage, and that’s fine. I don’t want him to stand on the line of scrimmage, I want him to go chase the quarterback, and he’s about the best in this draft at doing that. ... I’d be praying that he’d fall to me.” http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/24/bill-polian-sees-shane-ray-as-the-next-robert-mathis/

CBS Sports April 27, 2015 There are only five can't-miss players in the 2015 NFL Draft "one of the scouts I have come to respect immensely is adamant that there is no top 10 in this draft. He doesn't see any natural delineation at that number, if you will. He sees a clear cut top-five players in this draft, and then a significant drop in class from them, and then another drop in tier after the next handful of players, and so on and so on. "This is it," he said. "I've got five, I don't have 10. I don't have six. This is the five, and then there is everybody else." 1. Leonard Williams 2. Dante Fowler, Jr. 3. Shane Ray - "Next to Gregory, this is the best pass rusher in the group. Fowler might be a little better against the run, a little more polished, but Ray is going to be a handful. This kid is going to impact games. ... he can play. You can talk about him maybe being a liability against the run, or there being questions there, but 12 sacks a year sounds pretty good to me. That's what he is. I could see him in a 4-3 or a 3-4. Either way, he's getting to the quarterback." 4. WR Kevin White 5. WR Amari Cooper http://mweb.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/25164871/there-are-only-five-cant-miss-players-in-the-2015-nfl-draft

ex-scout Bucky Brooks of NFL.com wrote "I'm convinced he can be a Pro Bowl -caliber pass rusher in the NFL...he is the kind of alpha dog that all defensive coordinators desire... he should generate 10-plus sacks annually as a designated pass rusher in an aggressive scheme." Then listed his 5 best fits: #13 Saints #5 Redskins #6 Jets ( Bowles' ultra-aggressive blitz schemes could help the rookie notch 10-plus sacks as a first-year starter.") #7 Bears #8 Falcons - "The Falcons hired Dan Quinn to bring some swagger to the Georgia Dome and repair a leaky defense that hasn't generated consistent pressure on the passer since John Abraham departed years ago. Ray specializes in blowing past blockers on speed rushes, but also flashes an inside move that allows him to slip through cracks on the interior. With the Falcons poised to implement a simplistic scheme that allows defenders to utilize their natural talents to win individual battles, Ray's polished rush skills could make him a nightmare to block in Atlanta. ... He's arguably the best pure pass rusher in the 2015 NFL Draft, exhibiting a frenetic style that overwhelms blockers at the point of attack. ... Ray is a menacing presence off the edge, exhibiting the first-step quickness to blow past offensive tackles ... Ray has a natural feel for setting blockers up with stutter-steps and quick inside moves, leaving offensive tackles uncertain of how he will attack on each snap. With Ray also flashing the awareness, instincts and savvy to win on stunts and loops, the Missouri standout is tough on offensive tackles lacking the patience, footwork and body control to handle a Tasmanian devil off the edge. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000487837/article/shane-rays-best-nfl-fits-include-redskins-jets-and-bears

Lions blogger Ty Schalter: "Thompson looks like a cross between Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso ... Whether he plays as a strong safety who comes up into the box on run downs, a 4-3 outside linebacker, a 3-4 inside linebacker who excels in coverage (like Alonso) or a roving hybrid like the Bandit in a 3-3-5, Thompson is exactly the kind of versatile player NFL defenses need to combat today's highly multiple offenses. With blocking tight ends and pulling guards leading the way for committees of tailbacks with different skills and styles, and athletic tight ends, running backs and receivers lining up all over the field in exotic formations and combinations, players like Thompson are more valuable—not less. In today's NFL, every down is a passing situation and versatility is a must. Pure run-stuffing linebackers are a dying breed, and pure strong safeties are next on the endangered list. Arguing over which square hole to hammer Thompson into is missing the point. Thompson is the kind of player a smart defensive coordinator won't ever take off the field." http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2418567-can-washington-lb-shaq-thompson-play-safety-in-the-nfl

Sports Illustrated: "Then there was Shaq Thompson. ... “He’s a freak among freaks,” gushed one AFC executive to SI.com. The executive meant that as the highest form of compliment. By the end of the NFL draft, one of 32 NFL coaches will be saying how Thompson allows their defense to be more “multiple,” a favored expression of jargon among those who study and coach football players. By multiple, they mean their defenses can do, well, more stuff, present offenses with varied looks, shift and take shape and shift again to confuse quarterbacks. ... In the NFL, there is value in the versatile. More value, it seems, every year. ... The Seahawks allowed the fewest points of any NFL defense the past three seasons, and they did so with a celebrated secondary that contains a quarterback converted to strong safety ( Kam Chancellor ) and a receiver turned cornerbackb( Richard Sherman ). Their best defensive lineman, Michael Bennett , plays end and tackle. His ability to rush inside and command double teams allows flexibility in the scheme. His defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, recently became head coach of the Falcons . Quinn wants guys like Bennett, wants to follow the Seahawks’ blueprint. “All of the guys, we’re going to try and find out what type of versatility they have and try to feature them in every way we can,” he says. ... The Seahawks, as their coach Pete Carroll says, “value uniqueness.” That’s why their secondary is the best – and the tallest – in pro football. “The more versatility, of course, the added value,” Carroll says http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/02/25/2015-nfl-draft-shaq-thompson-versatility

you're thinking of Landon Collins, he's a sub-par athlete that gets roasted in coverage. Shaq is a great athlete that excels in coverage Jordan Plocher @ StarvingScout Washington Huskies OLB Shaq Thompson is so good in coverage that he eliminates Tight End production or he can do this (posted youtube of a Shaq Pick 6) Matt Millerv@ nfldraftscout Mar 16 Shaq Thompson... a rare athlete in coverage + range. Doug Kyed @ DougKyedNESN Watching Shaq Thompson closely. ... he'll enter the NFL as the league's best coverage LB. NFL_DRAFT_Bites @ NFLDraftBites -Shaq Thompson 's position question overblown. He's a WLB plays all 3 downs & is exceptional in coverage. LOVE his fit Mike Zimmer's Vikings -Shaq Thompsonis a Prototypical WiLL flows to ball w/ exceptional speed. Will be incredible in coverage

rsenreport.com Donovan James @ DonJamesSports A few sources around the league I've emailed have said Shaq Thompson is main target of two NFC East teams radar. (note that a good bit of the most recent mocks have Shaq going to the Cowboys in the first)

Seven-year NFL veteran S Matt Bowen (30 starts for 3 teams, primarily at SS) on Shaq: Matt Bowen @ MattBowen41 Apr 8 I see Shaq Thompson as an OLB that can play SS in nickel/dime based on scheme. "To me, Thompson is one of the more interesting prospects in this draft class ... Thompson is a playmaker. And guys like that make your football team better. ... the tape, the true grading tool used by scouts and decision-makers in the NFL, tells me that this guy can flat-out play football regardless of where he lines up on Sundays. ... As a linebacker, he can close on the ball-carrier, utilize his lateral speed to track down the play and drop into coverage to break on the throw. ... Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller told me he likes Thompson as a linebacker in a 40 front, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock sees him as a safety, and the NFL scouts I’ve talked with are split on where the former Husky will play in the pros. I tend to side with the scouts who see Thompson as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. And I would put him on the weak side (Will) where he can run to the ball, scrape over the top and clean up. Think of Lovie Smith’s scheme in Tampa with the playmaker at the Will 'backer position. Thompson could be that guy. ... as a “run and hit” defender who can locate the ball and use his athletic ability to attack the running game, Thompson is a fit. Plus, as a linebacker who drops into coverage in passing situations, I see a fluid prospect who can play underneath as a zone defender, read the quarterback and then accelerate to go make a play. A ‘backer who creates opportunities. What about matching up on a tight end or a running back out of the backfield in man-coverage? Yeah, the athleticism and football awareness is there to get that done. ... at safety, he translates as an underneath defender, a safety that is utilized in the box ... And we can’t forget about special teams, as Thompson has the ideal skill set to play a variety of roles on all four-core units. That’s a coach's dream. You want athletes on the field in the kicking game, guys that produce and eventually have to be game-planned for by opposing squads. Those are difference-makers." http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2419536-shaq-thompsons-versatility-can-translate-to-the-nfl-level

Giants beat reporter for New York Daily News Ebenezer Samuel @ ebenezersamuel Apr 26 Why Shaq Thompson is more of a lock to go in the first round of the NFL draft than people think: New York Daily News April 26, 2015 “He’s a Day-1 guy for teams that are only a few pieces away from making the next step in the playoffs,” the scout said ... In the hands of a creative defensive coordinator, he’s an ultra-dangerous chess piece, capable of shifting between safety and linebacker, wreaking havoc with a quarterback’s pre-snap reads ... He's a “Swiss Army knife kind of guy,” according to Giants GM Jerry Reese. “I think the more you can do in this league (the better),” Reese said. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/nfl-draft-15-shaq-thompson-lb-article-1.2199602?l

Regional Analyst for Scout.com Doug Kimmel @ DougKimmelScout Feb 18 What's Shaq Thompson 's ceiling in the NFL? I'm intrigued by him going to Carolina . Kuechly w/ Shaq ...sideline to sideline domination.

(Bill Voth) Black & Blue Review @ BlackBlueReview Apr 23 Shaq Thompson won't be at the draft in Chicago. That would've been a potentially great moment if Thomas Davis greeted him on stage. Rotoworld.com Josh Norris @ JoshNorris Feb 11 [in reply to: "Shaq Thompson : Thomas Davis"] This actually makes a lot of sense. DraftCountdown.com Scott Wright @ DraftCountdown Sep 30 Washington OLB / S Shaq Thompson is a playmaker. Reminds me of Thomas Davis . Ravens Reporter for Baltimore Times TURRON DAVENPORT @ TDavenport_NFL Apr 2 I like the Thomas Davis comp for Shaq Thompson by Charles Davis (of NFL.com) CAR Panthers News @ CarPanthersNews Apr 25 Imagine Shaq Thompson being molded by Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly. Whoa! Wouldn't be against that pick one bit. Keep Pounding Nation @ KeepPoundingNTN Apr 27 Through the draft process, #Panthers have shown most interest in Washington LB/S Shaq Thompson . I like the pick. Thomas Davis 2.0 Cat on a Hat @ JabooNJ Apr 27 In 2013, the Carolina Panthers had the most interest in Star Lotulelei. 2014, it was Kelvin Benjamin. So far 2015 looks to be Shaq Thompson ViP @ XisCoolAF Apr 26 Im Convinced we are drafting Shaq Thompson @ Panthers #PantherNation #KeepPounding Dan In Gilbert @ danism28 Would love to see Shaq Thompson in Panthers blue at SS and eventually TDs replacement george @ thegeorgeyou 8h Shaq Thompson 's pro comparison for me is Thomas Davis Martin Solorio @ CryWolff1 Apr 27 lets take shaq thompson very similar to thomas davis edward sanders @ this_iz_eddie Apr 1 that's my guy shaq Thompson . All points correct with comparing to Thomas davis

NBC Pro Football Talk Darin Gantt @ daringantt Apr 6 [in reply to Shaq Thompson visits with Cowboys, Colts, Panthers] I keep seeing Thomas Davis with this guy.

(Panthers fan) @ danny_g13 Apr 13 Voth with the amazing news of the day! Didn't hesitate in saying yes when asked if Panthers were "interested in Shaq Thompson" !!

Rotoworld Josh Norris @ JoshNorris Apr 23 With Thomas Davis announcing the Panthers 1st round pick, would be interesting if it turns out to be Eric Kendricks or Shaq Thompson .

NFLSpinZone.com: "If Thompson is available for the taking then I think it’s a no-brainer decision for the Panthers to make. I’m also sure they can take care of their other team needs via the later rounds of the draft since a talent as superb as Thompson is just too good to pass up ... Thompson could be used in a variety of ways by defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. The way Thompson can cover the field with his incredible speed and versatility makes him the perfect kind of athlete to have ... Since most of the top options I’m sure the Panthers want to draft might most likely be gone, it wouldn’t make sense to go in any other direction if Thompson is right there for the taking with their No. 25 overall pick." http://nflspinzone.com/2015/04/24/carolina-panthers-making-case-shaq-thompson/

How ironic and great will/would it be that TD will/would be the one to announce Shaq Thompson as our pick at #25?

the talent from 15 to 50 is all pretty even. Anybody we get at #25 is going to be a "2nd Round talent" unless a miracle happens

Thomas Davis is high on Shaq FuFuLamePoo logic: "hurr i don't care what TD thinks, i dont see Shaq as a top 25 pick in the mocks i read so i don't like him even though i know absolutely nothing about him. Bleh!"

Crazy both TD and Shaq himself went out of their way to point out that Shaq is faster than a 4.6 forty when that is what the other All-Pros Shaq compares to ran at their Combines: 4.63 - ILB C.J. Mosley All-Pro 4.64 - Shaq Thompson 4.65 - Lavonte David All-Pro 4.66 - Thomas Davis 4.69 - Kam Chancellor All-Pro as for the rest of the measurables: Size: 6-2/234 - ILB C.J. Mosley All-Pro 6-1/233 - OLB Lavonte David All-Pro 6-3/231 - SS Kam Chancellor All-Pro 6-1/230 - OLB Thomas Davis 6-0/228 - Shaq Thompson 225 Lb. Bench Reps (upper body strength): 22 - Kam Chancellor 20 - Shaq Thompson 19 - Lavonte David All-Pro 15 - ILB C.J. Mosley All-Pro DNP - Thomas Davis Broad Jump (lower body strength): 09'11" - Lavonte David All-Pro 09'10" - ILB C.J. Mosley All-Pro 09'09" - Shaq Thompson 09'08" - Kam Chancellor All-Pro 09'07" - Thomas Davis 3-Cone Drill (which many scouts consider the most important): 6.99 - Shaq Thompson 7.09 - OLB Thomas Davis 7.28 - OLB Lavonte David All-Pro 7.30 - ILB C.J. Mosley All-Pro 7.36 - SS Kam Chancellor All-Pro 20 Yrd Shuttle (sideline-to-sideline speed) 3.97 - Thomas Davis 4.08 - Shaq Thompson 4.22 - Lavonte David All-Pro 4.40 - ILB C.J. Mosley All-Pro 4.41 - Kam Chancellor All-Pro

Bill Voth, on his interview with TD: "Thomas Davis is high on Washington’s Shaq Thompson, who many have compared to Davis. ... “I don’t know where that comparison came from, but I’ll take it,” said Davis ... “Shaq Thompson is a better athlete than I was at this point,” Davis admitted. “You see his ball skills, he’s not a 4.6 (forty) kid. If you watch him with the ball in his hand, he continues to run away from people. He comes up, he makes big plays." http://blackandbluereview.com/six-pack-thomas-davis-after-winning-man-of-the-year/ (under the "A BULLDOG AND SHAQ" subtitle)

former NFL DE Stephen White's review of Dorsett: most of it was a rant on how horrible the Miami coaches were for not feeding him the ball more ("How their offensive coordinator still has a job is beyond me... his college coaches did not have a f***ing clueb....etc etc etc) "This kid checks off damn near all the boxes when it comes to what you want in a wide receiver. ... if Phillip Dorsett goes to a team with a good offensive coordinator, a good quarterback and a decent offensive line, you better watch the hell out. (And) a lot of those kinds of teams tend to pick at the bottom of the first round of the draft." http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/4/27/8465741/2015-nfl-draft-phillip-dorsett-miami-scouting-report-breakdown

on his Big Board released yesterday, Mayock grades the OL: 8. Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa 16. La'el Collins, OT, LSU 21. Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (Fla.) 25. D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida 26. Cameron Erving, C, Florida State 28. Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford 33. T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh 39. Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon 40. Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State 52. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M 82. Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000488358/article/2015-nfl-draft-mike-mayocks-top-100-prospects