Shaq Thompson In The First?

[Jeremy Igo]

One of the more intriguing defensive players in this years draft is Shaq Thompson out of Washington. While reading up on his abilities, I couldn't help but make comparison's to the Panthers own Thomas Davis. Davis is in the twilight of his career, and now would be the time to groom an eventual replacement. Shaq Thompson might be the perfect candidate. Here is why... 

View image | gettyimages.com

 

First, the measurables ... 

 

Thomas Davis 2005 Draft Profile

 

Height - 6'1

Weight - 230

40 yard dash - 4.6

3-Cone - 7.10

Vertical - 36.5

20 Yard Shuttle - 4.01

 

Shaq Thompson 2015 Draft Profile

 

Height - 6'0

Weight - 228

40 yard dash - 4.64

3-cone - 6.99

Vertical - 33.5

20 yard shuttle - 4.08

 

As you can see, the two have a similar size, with Thomas Davis being slightly taller. Thomas Davis has slightly faster straight line speed, but Shaq Thompson was faster in the 3 cone (a more important measurement for a linebacker, imo). 

 

Most NFL scouts have Thompson playing a OLB in a 4-3 scheme but have some concerns about his size and ability to keep enough weight on. Thomas Davis had these very same concerns surrounding him, enough so that coach John Fox tried him at safety early in his career. I am not so sure if Shaq Thompson's case that is of real concern to the Panthers. They have a good history of keeping guys bulked up through their training staff. 

 

Like Thomas Davis who played safety and linebacker at Georgia, Thompson also played outside and inside linebacker and safety on occasion. He also played running back, which is pretty incredible. This tells me this kid is just pure football player, and if there is one thing that Dave Gettleman loves, its real football players. 

 

Shaq Thompson is all over the place on the mock drafts. Most agree he is a first round selection, but no one knows where he should fall. It is hard to project with a player like Thompson. Many teams may pass on him due to his uncertainty. It will take a strong defensive mind to take him and put him in a place of success. 

 

Should Shaq fall to the 25th pick, don't be shocked if the Panthers pull the trigger on him. 

[Dex]

Rahim Moore at FS and Shaq at SS. Lawd.

[Mr. Scot]

Based on your first sentence, I was expecting a discussion of defensive player sin

Edit: Good fix

Edited February 23, 2015 by Mr. Scot

[philw5289]

Shaq Thompson is a lot faster then his 40 time at the combine and his pro day will show that. Same thing happened to TD

[davos]

It's been brought up a handful of times recently.  Could happen is he's available at 25. 

[SOJA]

He said that he is explicitly a LB, though I could see him playing a Joker type role in the defense. I would not be disappointed at all if we draft him, particularly if there are no quality OT or WRs available. 

[davos]

He said that he is explicitly a LB, though I could see him playing a Joker type role in the defense. I would not be disappointed at all if we draft him, particularly if there are no quality OT or WRs available. 

 

That'd be interesting and I'd definitely not be dissapointed.  

 

But if we're saying then Thompson at OLB is a possibility, then I wouldn't look past Paul Dawson as well.  That kid is damn good. 

[Cary Kollins]

If this guy is the next Thomas Davis, can you imagine having Keuchly and Shaq dashing from sideline to sideline for the next ten years?

 

 

I'm sure Gettleman can.

[gmonjimbo]

I don't know if this is possible but would like for him to be a stop gap at SS to replace Roman Harper and then replace Thomas Davis when he retires. 

[Mr. Scot]

He definitely sounds like an intriguing prospect.

Part of me can't help but feel sorry for whomever eventually has to step in for Thomas Davis though. Davis is going to be an incredibly tough act to follow. He's easily one of the greatest Panthers ever.

[Paa Langfart]

Do not want

[TylerVagyler]

Shaq is a beast. If we draft him, I'd like to use him at LB rather than SS.

 

Shaq - Luke - Davis

 

 

[pepaw]

Thomas ran 4.4 something at his pro day.

[LinvilleGorge]

I wouldn't be mad, but I'd rather have Jaelen Strong or Eric Fisher.  May be a moot point though.  No telling who may or may not still be on the board at #25.  All three could be gone or all three could still be there.