KC Chiefs: 2019 NFL Draft prospects to watch in National Championship
By John McCarty
DEIONTE THOMPSON – SAFETY (ALABAMA)
Safety Deionte Thompson is a fast, rangy safety prospect. The senior has recorded three interceptions and and seven passes defensed with the Alabama Crimson Tide over the past couple seasons.
He could easily find his name coming off the board in the middle part of the first round if he tests well and the right team is needing an athletic safety. His tackling, especially his form, could use work, as he’s often diving and trying to chop players down as opposed to wrapping up and using form tackling.
Obviously, the Chiefs could use all the help on defense they can find. Questions linger about if Eric Berry will play much moving forward, as he’s been unable to get and stay on the field. Armani Watts spent a majority of his rookie season on IR and there are few options beyond them. Depth, along with talent, is an issue in the defensive backfield at all spots. Thompson would be an upgrade.
With the level the safety market ‘cratered’ this past offseason as veterans such as Tre Boston and Kenny Vaccaro among others had issues finding jobs, will that affect the draft status of Thompson? Hard to say.