The Pewter Plank
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers should look into Jalen Thompson

By Cory Kinnan

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 19: Wide receiver Jay MacIntyre #14 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by safety Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars after making a catch during the third quarter at Folsom Field on November 19, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Washington State 38-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 19: Wide receiver Jay MacIntyre #14 of the Colorado Buffaloes is tackled by safety Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars after making a catch during the third quarter at Folsom Field on November 19, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Washington State 38-24. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Isaac Dotson #31 and Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars during the first half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Isaac Dotson #31 and Jalen Thompson #34 of the Washington State Cougars during the first half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Get to know Thompson

Thompson, on the other hand, has a similar skill set to that of Edwards, and by pairing the two together could give the Buccaneers an exuberant amount of flexibility for their secondary to work with. From his time in Arizona and in New York, Bowles has thrived with two safeties he can place all over the field; Tyrann Mathieu and Tony Jefferson, and Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye.

Having an ability to take good angles and get to ball carriers and make open field tackles is a strength of Thompson’s. He is no slouch in coverage, and can even be dependable in man coverage when asked to do so.

During his time at Washington State, Thompson was a significant contributor for three years in the Cougars’ secondary. Over that span, Thompson recorded 121 solo tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions (four in 2017), 17 passes defended, and four forced fumbles.

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Taking a chance on a player in the Supplemental Draft can be a risk, but with Thompson’s reasoning for being ruled ineligible is so low profile, he is a player worth taking a chance on. The Buccaneers may need to invest, at minimum a fourth round pick to get him, a third round bid to have a better chance.

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