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Lamont Thompson
SELECTED BY DENVER , ROUND 2, PICK 9, OVERALL PICK 41
DB | (6-1, 220, 4.59) | Washington State
By Pro Football WeeklyNotes: Was a dynamic impact player as a freshman when he played in 10 games, started four and picked off six passes with three coming against Washington in the Apple Cup, which helped Washington State go to the Rose Bowl. Also had two picks in the Stanford game and was in on 39 tackles for the year. Started every game at free safety and returned punts and filled in at wide receiver in 1998. Ended the season with 71 stops and four interceptions. He returned 16 punts for 123 yards and no touchdowns and caught two passes for 34 yards and no touchdowns. He was really slowed by injuries (neck and others) in '99 and was hurt by a move to cornerback, where he struggled and then seemed to lose confidence. Gutted it out and played in every game, starting seven with six of his starts coming on the corner. Ended the year with 54 stops and four picks. Redshirted in 2000 with a neck injury. Was allowed to return to football in '01. Looked tentative early in the year, but by season's end, was playing like an All-American candidate and became a first-team All-Pacific-10 selection. Led the Cougars in tackles with 83, interceptions with eight and passes broken up with 10. Then picked off two more passes in the Silicon Valley Bowl vs. Purdue.Positives: Thompson is a big, sculpted safety with almost no body fat and good plus athletic ability and speed for the position he plays. He has very good range, ball skills and hands. Over the second half of the '01 season, he was all over the field and showed good plus range against the pass and a knack for the interception. When healthy and playing safety, he has always made plays and picked off passes. He can play either safety position and may be able to play as a bump-and-run or zone corner.Negatives: Neck still must be checked out. May not have the suddenness and man-on-man cover skills to be a backed off cornerback on the next level, although with his size, he might have a chance as a bump or zone corner. Is not super smooth turning and will lose a little in transition. Is not a great hitter or tackler in the John Lynch mold.Summary: One of the best defensive backs and safeties in the draft provided the medics are willing to sign off on his neck.* Player biographies are provided by Pro Football Weekly.
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