Falcons' draft board: 5 questions with Washington LB Shaq Thompson
FLOWERY BRANCH – The NFL draft is set for Thursday through Saturday and each morning for the past weeks we've taken a look at a player on the Falcons' draft board.
Today we’ll look at Washington's versatile defender Shaq Thompson, whom the Falcons went to go visit on a recent trip to Seattle.
Position: Linebacker/Safety
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 228 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.64 seconds
10-yard split: 1.69 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 2.75 seconds
Broad Jump: 6-feet, 6-inches
Vertical: 33 1/2 inches.
Three-cone: 6.99
5 questions with Shaq Thompson
Q: Have you expressed to teams that you’d prefer to play linebacker than safety?
A: Yeah. I've told everybody outside linebacker (in 4-3) or inside as a (weak inside linebacker) (in 3-4).
Q: What if a team says they see you as a safety?
A: I'm gonna put it out there that I want to play linebacker. But I can't say no to that.
Q: Why do you prefer linebacker?
A: That's where I feel the most comfortable. I like to be up by the line of scrimmage. I feel like I'm physical enough. I'm not the biggest guy, but I have a lot of heart.
Q: How do you defend yourself against the critics who say you can’t shed blockers?
A: I feel like size doesn't matter. There were a couple of times where I didn't get off blocks. But there were other times when I did. If you're a playmaker, you're gonna make a play regardless, whether you're getting blocked or not getting blocked. That's part of my game I need to tighten up and I'm getting better at it.
Q: What NFL LB do you pattern your game after?
A: Lavonte David. He's a little bit taller than me. But same attributes. Same speed. Can over tight ends and running backs. I feel like I can do the same thing.
FALCONS DRAFT BOARD
5 questions with Boise State running back Jay Ajayi
5 questions with Miami offensive lineman Ereck Flowers
5 questions with Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams
5 questions with Oklahoma tight end Blake Bell
5 questions with Kentucky's Bud Dupree
5 questions with Missouri's Shane Ray
5 questions with Clemson's Vic Beasley
5 questions with Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.
5 questions with Oregoan DL Arik Armstead
5 questions with Miami inside linebacker Denzel Perryman
ATLANTA FALCONS 2015 DRAFT PICKS
First round: 8th overall selection
Second round: 42nd overall selection
Third round: 73rd overall selection
Fourth round: 107th overall selection
Fifth round: 146th overall selection
Sixth round: 185th overall selection
Seventh round: 225th overall selection
Seventh round: 249th overall selection*
*Pick is from New England through St. Louis
POSITION-BY-POSITION FOR 2015 NFL DRAFT
Wednesday: Top 5 Inside Linebackers
Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman ,
Thursday: Top 5 defensive tackles
(Leonard Williams' Rugby skill will become handy in the NFL)
Friday: Top 5 defensive backs
Alabama's Landon Collins is the top safety prospect
Saturday: Top 5 special teamers
Dorsett, Alford could be top returners
Sunday: Top 5 edge rushers (defensive ends/outside linebackers).
Monday: Top 5 Offensive line
Georgia Tech's Shaquille Mason trying to convert to center for NFL
Tuesday: Top 5 Wide receivers
Georgia's Chris Conley now projects as a fourth-rounder
Wednesday, April 22: Top 5 Running backs
Thursday, April 23: Top 5 Quarterbacks
NFL must handle Winston, Mariota with care. Both need seasoning
Friday, April 24: Top 5 Tight ends
South Carolina's Rory "Buster" Anderson hopes to get his NFL shot
ICYMI: Here's a link to last year's Position-by-Position series.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
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