[Direckshun]

OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington -- This is odd to say for a player who won't go on the 1st day of the draft, but Shaq Thompson may be one of the safest players in this draft. For three years he has played in the offense-happy Pac 10 and consistently put up numbers that reflect the full range of what he's capable of doing. He's not a big passrusher, as he's only put up 4-5 sacks over the past two years, but this kid is great in space. He has a ways to be coached up, too, which should entice some team that's obsessed with big upside in their prospects. Thompson can mark up tight ends and even some receivers well downfield. He is a form tackler -- he uses his excellent speed (he should flirt with running a 4.5) to get to the ballcarrier, and effectively breaking down for the tackler. He has excellent hands and can really go up and get a ball when QBs try to beat him over the top. He's been one of the most prolific tacklers of the past three years, and hasn't been missed time due to injury. The two biggest weaknesses in his game are both largely correctable: (a.) he could diagnose plays faster, and (b.) he's far better playing away from the LOS compared to how he plays up against it -- he can use his athleticism to beat blocks in college, but he is going to need to shed them in the NFL. I think just about any team could use him in any scheme, and I think he's a second day pick due to his athleticism and scheme versatility. As of now, he makes the most sense as a 4-3 OLB.

Edit (11/18): I love watching Thompson play. He is a true sideline-to-sideline player with passrushing ability and great coverage tools. He'll need a little work in the NFL, but Shaq Thompson looks like a late 1st round pick to the first linebacker-starved team that needs him.