2015 NFL Draft: Quarter grades for 1st-round picks
Oct 4, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Green-Thompson (54) forces Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) to intentionally ground the ball during the first half of an NFL football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
B. <p>He already got Luke Kuechly No. 9 overall back in 2012 so you know Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera loves his linebackers. and wanted a parnter for him. So when Shaq Thompson, was available at No. 25 overall, the Panthers surprised many draft experts and took him. He’s a great athlete, that was a running back and playmaking 4-3 outside linebacker in college.</p> <p>And despite the concerns about him being too late in the booty, he’s playing physical, assignment-sound football. His biggest immediate contribution comes in sub-packages made to stop the pass. But Thompson has been abile to carry on just fine when opposing teams have run at him.</p> <p>He hasn’t made too many splash plays through so far but he’s earned high marks from Pro Football Focus. As a matter of fact, he has the highest grade of all the 2015 first-rounders a quarter of the way through the season. It’s going to be interesting to see if he can hold up physically throughout the season with that small frame.</p>. OLB. Carolina Panthers. SHAQ THOMPSON
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