Mykkele Thompson to New York Giants: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

Coming into the draft, the New York Giants knew they would have to address their safety position due to the lack of the numbers.

They have done just that, trading up in the draft for Alabama’s Landon Collins in the second round and then using their first pick on Day 3 to choose Texas defensive back Mykkele Thompson (6’2”, 191 lbs) in the fifth round.

Thompson, a former high school quarterback, is actually versatile, having had experience playing in the slot, at outside cornerback and at free safety.

On a conference call with reporters, Thompson, who wears glasses off the field, admitted to not wearing contact lenses on the field because, per Max Olson of ESPN.com, Thompson believed he could see the ball just fine without them. 

He turned out to be wrong. Olson reported that Thompson finally started wearing contact lenses after he caught grief from head coach Charlie Strong.  

“Of course seeing better is always a one-up in your game,” Thompson admitted on the conference call with reporters. “With my performance, it seemed like it helped.” 

Ya think?

According to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net, Thompson is a disciplined player who is aggressive and is a good tackler.

The biggest concern about Thompson is his lack of ideal speed, which, per Pauline, is listed at 4.62 seconds for the 40-yard dash. That lack of speed could potentially eliminate him from consideration at the free safety spot.

Averaging seven tackles per game as a junior, Thompson, born in Naples, Italy, and the son of an Air Force veteran, is a durable player who appears to be destined for a big role on special teams for his rookie season.

He led the Longhorns in special teams tackles with eight as a freshman, his single-season high. He posted a career-high 72 tackles (four for a loss) in 2013 and recorded both of his interceptions in his final two seasons of eligibility.

“Honestly, I’ll play wherever they want me to,” Thompson said. “In college I played every defensive back position, so wherever they want me to go, that’s where I’ll play.”

He added, “Of course, special teams is really big.”

Patricia Traina covers the Giants for Inside Football, the Journal Inquirer and Sports Xchange. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless otherwise sourced. 

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