Jalen Thompson DL/EDGE Michigan State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jalen Thompson DL/EDGE Michigan State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/25/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.78 seconds (80%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 19.5 DOB: 05/28/2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 09/25/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.78 seconds (80%*) | |
| Age: 19.5 DOB: 05/28/2005 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 84.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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74% |
| Pass Rush: |
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68% |
| Run Defense: |
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83% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#60
Position rank:
#9
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| College Games: 17 College Snaps: 492 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Jalen Thompson from Cass Technical High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 4-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Thompson joined Michigan State after being heavily recruited.In 2023 as a freshman Thompson saw action in 8 games and played a total of 211 snaps for the Spartans. He recorded 14 tackles, 5 assists, while adding 13 stops. As a pass rusher, he added 10 total pressures, which included 7 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 2 sacks on the season.
As a sophomore for the Spartans in 2024 Thompson played in 4 games and took part in 132 snaps for the Spartans. He recorded just 4 tackles, 2 assists, while adding 5 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 6 total pressures, and 5 QB hurries, no QB hits, and one sack during the year.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- His handwork is excellent. Thompson is tough against the run, playing with a firm base when setting the edge and showing the upper-body strength to stack and shed blockers.
- He has the quickness and flexibility to consistently dip and bend around the edge.
- His spin move is already NFL-caliber, and Thompson displays a very good motor.
- Showed initial quickness and good flexibility to dip and bend. He has active hands and suddenness to his movements, demonstrating the ability to counter inside.
- He can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level.
- Thompson is strong enough in the lower body to hold up at the point of attack, and he displays a good feel as a grappler in the phone booth, consistently getting blockers off-balance before sending them to the ground.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- He’s going to struggle at the point of attack. As a pass rusher, Thompson lacks the ideal length to ward off blockers and too often allows linemen to get into his chest.
- As a pass rusher, he needs the scheme to create deception and confusion to give him a free run.
- Thompson needs to do a better job using his hands as a pass rusher, as he too often gets neutralized by longer edge blockers.
How other scouting services rate Jalen Thompson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
60.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
9.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.