Atlanta Falcons 2016 Scouting Report: S Darian Thompson
The Atlanta Falcons could turn to the safety position in the 2016 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at Darian Thompson.
The likelihood of the Atlanta Falcons taking a safety in the 2016 NFL Draft is pretty considerable. The safety play for the Falcons this season has been up and down. Strong safety William Moore has been in and out of the lineup with injuries as well as free safety Ricardo Allen displaying a little inconsistency here and there. A little inconsistency to go along with his size limitations.
Dan Quinn helped construct the “Legion of Boom” secondary in Seattle which is arguably the staple of the entire Seahawks defense. What Quinn has in place is a relatively solid set of corners in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford. Quinn’s next move may be to provide some needed help at the safety spot. Today, I’ll provide a scouting report on a safety with hybrid skills who’s name is circulating around NFL front offices.
S Darian Thompson, Boise State
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210 lbs
2015 stats: 58 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 5 INTs, 4 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles
Strengths: Initially, you’ll see Thompson’s versatility. Thompson has experience at Boise State at corner as well as both safety spots. Really good ball skills, ranked in the top three in INTs in the Mountain West conference the past two seasons.
Fluid athlete, little wasted movement. Tall safety with the ability to provide run support in the box as well as Cover 3 centerfield ability. Corner experience pays off with his ability to play man-to-man and stick with WR. Good instincts to read and react.
Weaknesses: Has a tendency to not wrap up consistently. Not afraid to lower the boom but as the last line of defense, he needs to display that discipline. Not a speed demon, OK but not great speed. Shows aggression in run support but takes questionable/wrong angles every now and then.
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Outlook: The size and ball skills of Thompson is what stands out the most with him.
At 6’3 210, he’s already near Moore’s size and has good ball skills to go along with it. In a defense such as Quinn’s, versatility is a definite plus as Thompson as the ability to play man to man against TEs and/or bigger WRs in the slot.
The tackling flaw might be bigger to some than others but Thompson has to skills to be a sound tackler.
It is all about Quinn and the staff of squeezing the consistent effort out of him.