Early Impressions of 2015 NFL Draft Picks 21-25

Jul 31, 2015; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) runs drills during training camp held at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Shaq Thompson

Early in the draft scouting process outside linebacker Shaq Thompson was considered a first-rounder. Then somewhere in the process, most of the media had him dropping out of the first round. But that’s not what the Carolina Panthers thought and they took him with the No. 24 overall pick.

They would then have to wait for their first-round pick, who wasn’t around for the offseason program. Thompson was busy dealing with a strained hamstring and final exams in his final semester in school. That same strained hamstring had him limited for most of training camp and Tuesday was his first full day back.

And he’s already wowing head coach Ron Rivera, who described a big play he made saying, “First of all, the quickness in his break. Playing with the vision that he has, the athleticism showed in terms of being able to plant and drive, undercut the ball and make the interception. Plus, he’s got great hands.”

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