Washington State S Jalen Thompson will be coveted in supplemental draft
Washington State safety Jalen Thompson is eligible for the 2019 Supplemental Draft and he’s expected to be coveted by NFL teams.
The NFL’s annual supplemental draft is expected to take place on July 10, 2019 and there are a number of intriguing prospects available, which is not always the case.
Last year, Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal was selected in the third round by the New York Giants, a pick that ended up being quite high as the Giants finished in last place in the NFC East.
This year, a potentially even higher-rated prospect is going to be available to NFL teams.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting that Jalen Thompson, a stud safety from Washington State, is going to be eligible for the 2019 supplemental draft.
A key entrance into the supplemental draft: Washington State S Jalen Thompson, who learned yesterday he lost his eligibility for the 2019 season and applied to be drafted in July. He hired agent Brad Cicala and is heading into the NFL. Should be selected.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 29, 2019
Should be selected indeed.
Although Mike Leach and the Washington State offense get the most publicity, Thompson has quietly been putting together a stellar career on the back end of the defense. He was a significant contributor as a true freshman and has picked off six passes over the course of the past two seasons.
Not only that, but Thompson has showed tremendous versatility and the ability to play in the box at a high level.
Jalen Thompson was all over the field for Washington State and will return to bolster the Cougars defense. pic.twitter.com/FMAhBcrLIU
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 28, 2019
Jalen Thompson had the lowest passer rating into his coverage from the slot last season, among Pac-12 DBs pic.twitter.com/aZWZ1CCebI
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 17, 2018
His slot production came in the year he recorded four interceptions, so it’s possible NFL teams will look at him in that role first and foremost.
At 6-feet, 190 pounds, perhaps a role as a nickel defensive back is what Thompson will be perfectly suited for.
It will be fascinating to see how he tests athletically. The Senior Bowl was already scouting Thompson and he was expected to be one of the most highly coveted players from the Pac 12 this coming season.
He will now get to go to the NFL a year early, but this obviously hurts his draft stock quite a bit.
The NFL supplemental draft process is nothing like the spectacle we know and love on Draft weekend. It’s basically a silent auction where teams bid their draft picks per round on certain players.
If that team has the highest bid, they will get the player and forfeit that corresponding draft pick in the next draft.
So, if some team wants to bid a third-round pick on Thompson, they will have to give up their 2020 third-round pick.
Next. 2019 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams. dark
It’s rare to see players taken that high, but this may be a rare case as it was last year with Sam Beal.