2018 NFL Draft: Trenton Thompson Scouting Report
By Jon Dove
Georgia’s Trenton Thompson is a big-bodied 2018 NFL Draft defensive line prospect who has some huge upside.
Trenton Thompson features a big frame with good length and bulk. He has one of the better combinations of size and quickness in the 2018 NFL Draft. His skill set and upside should result in him hearing his name called in the middle rounds.
Thompson is a handful to deal with in the trenches. His size allows him to hold at the point of attack as well as generate a push. However, he also has good quickness and overall athleticism that allows him to make plays away from his frame.
He is an aggressive player who is constantly fighting for position. Thompson features a non-stop motor and will pursue the ball down the field. He also flashes a nasty streak where he looks to deliver big hits.
Thompson has all the raw skills needed to be a very productive NFL player. However, he needs to clean up his technique and polish his game. Thompson lacks good hand usage typically throwing his shoulder into the blocker.
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This limits his ability to hold his ground, read the play and find the ball. His production would see a big increase if he committed to gaining inside hand placement.
Thompson also lacks good snap awareness. He is often the last guy out of his stance which puts him a step behind the play. His raw skills give him the ability to overcome this problem, but at the next level it will decrease his effectiveness.
Overall, this is a high-upside prospect with the potential to be a dominant interior defender. He has the skill set to not only be a strong run defender but also an interior pass rusher. The key will be landing with a coach who gets him to commit to using his hands and improving his snap awareness.