OVERVIEW

Started 29 games, including 13 at left tackle in 2014, of the 44 he appeared in. First-team All-Big 12 selection in 2014. In 2013, missed two starts with an ankle injury. Saw multiple starts at both right and left tackle in 2012. Received a 15-yard penalty for punching a TCU player in 2012. Played sparingly in 2011 as a redshirt freshman. Played on offensive and defensive line in high school, where he was rated a four-star prospect by Rivals. Born in Germany and wears No. 71 to honor the year of his mother’s birth. Father was a paratrooper in U.S. Army. He’s married with a son and daughter.

STRENGTHS

Has NFL talent and athleticism. Is able to climb up to the second level and engage assignments. Effective wall-off blocker. Can change direction in pass protection and is able to adjust in space to get to moving targets. Light on his feet for a big guy. Has the feet and length to be a starting left tackle in the league. Has athleticism to recover when beaten in pass protection. Can move laterally and make tough blocks when needed.

WEAKNESSES

Reacher-and-grabber in run game. Doesn't consistently bring feet with him to bury defenders. Not a finisher. Plays with poor technique. Inconsistent anchor and plays with poor leverage. His effort level is at bare minimum when asked to block away from the play. Finesse player. Has thin legs. Lacks the nasty his teammate Daryl Williams has. Considered lazy and maddening to scouts, who question how much he loves the game.

DRAFT PROJECTION

Round 3 or 4

NFL COMPARISON

King Dunlap

BOTTOM LINE

Thompson has NFL size and flashes NFL potential, but he doesn't play with the consistency or effort that NFL scouts want to see from him. There will be teams that drop his grade due to football character, but tackles that have traits and upside usually get drafted earlier than their draft grades call for.

Courtesy NFL.com

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