Taylor Thompson (TE Project From SMU)

[polk_high_allstar]

This guy played DE at SMU. He's 6-6 and 259lbs. A high school tight end, Thompson played defensive end at SMU. He had a great tight end workout at his pro day and is moving up draft boards fast. 4.55 40 yard dash and 37 vertical. Could be our version of Jimmy Graham and should be able to pick him up late too. For those who want an athletic TE and don't want to reach for one he could be our guy.

[Leaf]

How late are you talking? I'm assuming he was an iron-man athlete playing TE and DE last year?

[bahhummbug]

If he bulked up a little not much just a little would look better on paper.

[Playoffs2013]

How late are you talking? I'm assuming he was an iron-man athlete playing TE and DE last year?

They said 3rd

[polk_high_allstar]

How late are you talking? I'm assuming he was an iron-man athlete playing TE and DE last year?

Only played DE at SMU. Projected TE at the NFL level. I think we could get him on day 3 of the draft.

[Leaf]

Only played DE at SMU. Projected TE at the NFL level. I think we could get him on day 3 of the draft.

It seems like a bit of a risk taking a guy who hasn't played offense in 4 years, but the potential seems to be there. Certainly such a big guy running a 4.55 is athletic, but the risk scares me away from spending anything higher than a 6th on him.

[Carlos Danger]

I think, under the right circumstances, this guy could be a very strong candidate for that comp pick at the end of the 5th. Character issues may be a concern.

[polk_high_allstar]

I think, under the right circumstances, this guy could be a very strong candidate for that comp pick at the end of the 5th. Character issues may be a concern.

What have you been hearing about his character?

[Carlos Danger]

What have you been hearing about his character?

ProFootballWeekly lists these attributes under "downside"

Downside:

• Does not breathe football

• Lax playing temperament

• Mental toughness is questioned

• Lacks pass-rush repertoire

• Mild competitor

Sideline Scouting listed his negatives as:

Negatives -- Does not give maximum effort all the time, takes a lot of plays off and it shows on film... Doesn't play with the aggression that he is capable of, will try but will hold certain things back during the play... Huge questions about his mental toughness; coaches will get on him hard during his rookie year, and if he can't handle it then his NFL career will be short... Doesn't have a lot of pass rushing moves, not fast enough to be a speed rusher and his height limits his leverage on bull rushes... Not a major competitor; doesn't take games as seriously as he should and it sometimes leaves teammates out to dry when he simply doesn't feel like doing something... His love of football is also a question; is he in it for the love of the game or the paycheck?

...If we look at him as a TE then the criticism of his pass rushing abilities can be ignored, but the lack of effort should be a major concern... Dude is an absolute beast though... Colts should invite him for a private workout, if time permits.

[fvantagio]

ProFootballWeekly lists these attributes under "downside"

Downside:

• Does not breathe football

• Lax playing temperament

• Mental toughness is questioned

• Lacks pass-rush repertoire

• Mild competitor

Sideline Scouting listed his negatives as:

Negatives -- Does not give maximum effort all the time, takes a lot of plays off and it shows on film... Doesn't play with the aggression that he is capable of, will try but will hold certain things back during the play... Huge questions about his mental toughness; coaches will get on him hard during his rookie year, and if he can't handle it then his NFL career will be short... Doesn't have a lot of pass rushing moves, not fast enough to be a speed rusher and his height limits his leverage on bull rushes... Not a major competitor; doesn't take games as seriously as he should and it sometimes leaves teammates out to dry when he simply doesn't feel like doing something... His love of football is also a question; is he in it for the love of the game or the paycheck?

...If we look at him as a TE then the criticism of his pass rushing abilities can be ignored, but the lack of effort should be a major concern... Dude is an absolute beast though... Colts should invite him for a private workout, if time permits.

In that case...pass. Id rather have a guy with half the athletic ability but twice as much work ethic.

[Carlos Danger]

i see your point.

[polk_high_allstar]

ProFootballWeekly lists these attributes under "downside"

Downside:

• Does not breathe football

• Lax playing temperament

• Mental toughness is questioned

• Lacks pass-rush repertoire

• Mild competitor

Sideline Scouting listed his negatives as:

Negatives -- Does not give maximum effort all the time, takes a lot of plays off and it shows on film... Doesn't play with the aggression that he is capable of, will try but will hold certain things back during the play... Huge questions about his mental toughness; coaches will get on him hard during his rookie year, and if he can't handle it then his NFL career will be short... Doesn't have a lot of pass rushing moves, not fast enough to be a speed rusher and his height limits his leverage on bull rushes... Not a major competitor; doesn't take games as seriously as he should and it sometimes leaves teammates out to dry when he simply doesn't feel like doing something... His love of football is also a question; is he in it for the love of the game or the paycheck?

...If we look at him as a TE then the criticism of his pass rushing abilities can be ignored, but the lack of effort should be a major concern... Dude is an absolute beast though... Colts should invite him for a private workout, if time permits.

The charater issues could of came from him not likiing the position he was playing. Played TE in high school and SMU played him at DE. Don't know if it was SMU's or his decision to play DE. Guy's a beast like you said and I like his upside compared to a lot of the other names that have been floating around threads and mocks lately.

[Carlos Danger]

Chase Ford is another later round TE prospect they might be looking at. Brad Wells has us taking him at #206 6'4" 256lbs.

[Ufansince65]

Because you mentioned Taylor Thompson, I will go ahead and post my 'What The Heck' mock here ( which includes Mr. Thompson ). Ryan Grigson's 'starter in every round' philosophy is similar to mine, and in direct opposition to those who think in the first year of a complete rebuild you should 'fill needs'.

In the first three rounds, you have to go for BPA. After that, you look for promising projects. That's what I tried to do, based on what 122 football websites I consulted had to say about their talent and where they are likely to be drafted. Tear it apart, boys!

Round 1 -QB Andrew Luck, Stanford, 6-4, 237, 4.59

Greatest quarterback prospect since 1983.

Round 2 -ILB Bobby Webster, Utah State, 6-0, 241 4.45

'Luxury Pick': best value on board at 34-a first-round talent to work next to Angerer.

Round 3 -OG Brandon Brooks, Miami ( Ohio ), 6-5, 346 5.23

Huge mauler that can stiff opposing nose tackles if he keeps his weight down. Luck must have protection and a running game.

Round 4-CB Josh Norman, Coastal Carolina, 6-0, 197, 4.45

Likely starter this season. Very good at man coverage, but is a projection due to low level of competition. Considered one of the very best small-school prospects.

Round 5A -WR Dwight Jones, North Carolina, 6-3, 230, 4.55

Big experienced and accomplished 'posession' receiver, but not superfast. Safety valve for Luck.

Round 5B -NT Hebron Fangupo, Brigham Young, 6-0, 323, 5.20

Here's where I had to compromise on value, since this year's draft does not provide value at this position. Fangupo should develop into a decent NT, and thus, when you include Mookie, you have three big fatties to share the load. Next year we'll look for a Vince Wilfork type.

Round 6 - TE Taylor Thompson, Southern Methodist, 6-6, 259, 4.57

Very raw but intriguing prospect who played DE in college, but did not have the aggressive temperment to fit that position. Looked very good at the Pro Days catching passes, but will take a very long time to develop. In two years could be impossible to stop.

Round 7A -OLB Ryan Davis, Bethune-Cookman, 6-3, 260, 4.84

Another highly regarded small-school 'sleeper', described as similar to Robert Mathis.

Round 7B -TE Adrien Robinson, Cincinnati, 6-4, 264, 4.58

Another raw 'numbers' prospect with a big upside. Can play now, but only simplified routes.

Round 7C -Mr. Irrelevant-WR Dale Moss, S. Dakota State, 6-3, 213, 4.45

Another developmental prospect with great measurables.

UDFA's I would invite to camp:

SS Jose Gumbs, Monmouth, 5-10, 210, 4.48

WR Cody Pearcy, Huntingdon, 5-10, 162, 4.36

RB/KR Fozzy Whittaker, Texas, 5-9, 193, 4.5

OL Tom Compton, S. Dakota, 6-5, 314

FB Devin Goda, Slippery Rock, 6-2, 225, 4,54

WR Jeremy Ebert, Northwestern, 5-11, 200, 4.38

C Jason Slowey, Western Oregon, 6-3, 303

DE Ernest Owusu, California, 6-4, 277, 4.8

TE Kyle Fredorowicz, N. Central College, 6-6, 265, 4.67

DT Drew Nowak, Western Michigan, 6-3, 295