2019 NFL Draft: Five key prospects for Kansas City Chiefs fans to know

2. Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama

Deionte Thompson, much like Greedy Williams, was once a highly touted prospect for this year’s class. Thompson seems to be more a victim of over-analyzation and forgotten in the offseason shuffle. Thompson has not been available for workouts while he recovers from a wrist injury.

Thompson, along with the rest of the Crimson Tide defense, did not look like their normally dominant selves against the Clemson Tigers in the national championship. Thompson especially looked vulnerable, with miscommunication and bad reads on his part in the back end that resulted up big plays in that game. That last bad taste seems to have overshadowed a body of work that otherwise borders on elite.

I broke down Thompson as a prospect back in September, and I still have confidence that Thompson is the exciting player that we saw all season—not the one who struggled in the championship game. Once thought to be a lock for the top 15, Thompson should be available for the Chiefs in the 1st round, or possibly a trade up option in the 2nd round. Thompson could be a steal in the 2019 NFL Draft, much fellow Alabama alum and current Chicago Bear Eddie Jackson.

Thompson offers range as a single high safety that the Chiefs have not had since Ron Parker and Husain Abdullah were in their prime and roaming the back end. The addition of Thompson would allow for the Chiefs to use Tyrann Mathieu as the Swiss army knife he is, and closer to the line of scrimmage and closer to the football—exactly where you want him. Thompson’s skill set would be a perfect compliment in the Chiefs secondary.