2019 NFL Draft: Targets with Baltimore Ravens 22nd overall pick
Deionte Thompson:
It’s not that Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson are bad safeties, but neither of them are true center fielders who can change the defense. Weddle was at one point, but he’s slowed down considerably as he’s gotten older, and he is far more effective down near the LOS. Jefferson, meanwhile, is a true strong safety, and is more comfortable in that same spot…
The Ravens need to add a safety who can cover over-the-top effectively and make plays on the football. The Ravens need to add a player like Alabama’s Deionte Thompson. Thompson is already an easy connection to Baltimore, as he’s a member of the Crimson Tide, a team that front office executive Ozzie Newsome tends to favor. But beyond this lazy take, Thompson is so much more.
Must Read. 2018 Baltimore Ravens: The good, the bad and the ugly. light
Don’t let Thompson’s three career interceptions obstruct your perspective of him, as he’s much better than his stat sheet indicates. Go turn on the film and you’ll find #14 making plays throughout the secondary. Thompson is a sure tackler and always finds himself near the football. In a 2019 NFL Draft that is devoid of elite talent, Deionte Thompson finds himself as a sleeper in the class.
Thompson would be a terrific add to an already dominant defense. In fact, he could very well be the missing piece to a flawless, elite defense. What Thompson did for Alabama’s defense in 2018 was underrated, and the soon-to-be 22-year old from Orange, Texas could become a star for a Baltimore Ravens defense that hasn’t had elite safety play since the days of Ed Reed.