Syd’Quan Thompson NFL Draft scouting report

Syd’Quan Thompson
5’9, 191 pounds | Cornerback | California
Strengths: Likes to get physical at the line of scrimmage and is solid jamming his opponent. Gets his hands in on a lot of plays (broke up a career 36 passes). Has good but not great hands. Makes his plays by reading the quarterback and getting a break on the ball. Can flip his hips and turn with ease. Gets up to his top speed quickly. Very durable. Started 52 consecutive games for Cal. Likes to hit and is a solid tackler.
Weaknesses: Takes too many false steps when he turns to run with receivers. Doesn’t have good quick-twitch movement and gets beaten a lot by shiftier receivers. Doesn’t have great top-end speed. If he gets beaten off the line, he struggles to recover and run with a receiver. Undersized.
Final word: The first thing people will point to when talking negatively about Thompson is his size. But the first thing people should notice is his lack of agility. He doesn’t move very well laterally and gets beaten a lot by shifty receivers. He may be pigeonholed into being drafted by a team that need someone to defend smaller possession receivers.