Taylor Thompson to Titans: Video Highlights, Analysis and Scouting Report

Defensive end (or tight end?) Taylor Thompson is going to be fighting for one of the last roster spots, but there is evidence to believe he can make it.

As a senior at SMU he was selected to the All-Conference USA First Team after collecting 41 tackles (7.5 for a loss), six forced fumbles and a team-high seven sacks his senior season.

The Prosper, Texas native stands at 6’6’’ and 290 pounds, which is the main reason he fell this far. He’ll have to put on weight to ensure he ends up on an NFL field at some point in 2012.

What Taylor Thompson Brings to Team

What’s great about Thompson is his height and reach. He can use his long arms to keep burly offensive linemen on the ground without getting eaten alive.

His burst at the snap is above average and he plays with an extreme aggressiveness that scouts love. He is also very durable, starting the final 43 games of his collegiate career.

The one thing to keep an eye on with Thompson is the potential for him to move back to tight end, the position he played in high school. With his lack of bulk, I believe his best shot at NFL success resides on the offensive end of the ball.

Stay tuned.

What Experts are Saying:

ESPN’s Scouts Inc. paints a fairly rosy picture of Thompson:

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Displays adequate but not good first-step quickness. Shows more than adequate upper-body strength and flashes a powerful punch to get an initial surge. Lacks elite torso flexibility and doesn't have the ability to consistently shave the edge. Flashes suddenness with pass rush and can shoot and exploit an inside lane when tackle oversets. Can redirect and recover when getting too far up field initially. Appears to have long arms to keep blocker off of frame. Needs to do a better job of protecting feet. Closing burst is above-average and has long arms to complete sack or work for strip.

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Sounds like Thompson is going to need a lot of coaching if he plans on sticking with the defensive end position.

Rookie Impact:

His weight deficiencies are going to be a real problem. Expect that to be the main deterrent for any sort of success in 2012 unless he moves to tight end.

He can really struggle at times to disengage after initial contact with an O-Linemen, which is a big deal considering Thompson played in the Conference USA. His inability to quickly process a developing play makes him a likely practice squad candidate as well.  

The Titans add young depth at DE and might be surprised if they work out Thompson as a TE.  

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