BJ Thompson DE/EDGE Stephen F. Austin | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
BJ Thompson DE/EDGE Stephen F. Austin
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/25/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.61 seconds (92%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 25.7 DOB: 03/23/1999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 04/25/2023 | |
| Draft Year: 2023 | |
| 40 time: 4.61 seconds (92%*) | |
| Age: 25.7 DOB: 03/23/1999 | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 78.4 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
60% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
|
54% |
| Pass Rush: |
|
98% |
| Run Defense: |
|
68% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#222
Position rank:
#43
|
||
| College Games: 43 College Snaps: 1952 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
|
||
|
247 RATING: 85/100
|
||
Drafted: ROUND: 5 - Pick Number: 166 (KC)
Draft Profile: Bio
BJ Thompson from England High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Thompson joined Baylor.In 2018 as a freshman Thompson saw action in 10 games and played a total of 358 snaps for the Bears. He recorded only 8 tackles, 2 assists, while adding 8 stops. As a pass rusher, he added 24 total pressures, which included 16 QB hurries, 4 QB hits, and 4 sacks on the season.
After season's end Thompson transferred to Stephen F. Austin where as a sophomore for the Lumberjacks in 2020 Thompson played 10 games and took part in 492 snaps for the Lumberjacks. He recorded 14 tackles, 3 assists, while adding 17 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 25 total pressures, and 14 QB hurries, 5 QB hits, and 6 sacks during the year.
In 2021 as a junior Thompson played in 12 games and contributed on 542 snaps. He recorded 11 tackles, 5 assists while making 21 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 36 total pressures, which included 25 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and an impressive 9 sacks on the year.
In 2022 as a senior Thompson logged playing time in 11 games and logged a total of 560 snaps for the Lumberjacks. He also added 15 tackles, 2 assists, and 15 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 30 total pressures, which included 20 QB hurries, 5 QB hits, and 5 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Thompson has the classic frame and long arms with some explosion, power and ability to close.
- Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #36. He wrote, "He arrived at SFA at 210 pounds but is now 6-6, 230 and an intriguing NFL prospect after making first-team all-conference after putting up 13.5 TFLs and 10.5 sacks to go with two forced fumbles. This offseason, Thompson broad-jumped 11-3, clocked a 4.56 40 and had a 10-yard split of 1.63. His vertical was 40 inches and he got 4.2 in the pro agility."
- Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands.
- Fast in a straight line. Excellent wide and .bull rushes when he's first off the snap.
- He has the kind of turn-and-run fluidity to be used in man coverage as well, able to run with tight ends and running backs.
- Challenges inside with quickness and strong hands. Run-and-chase defender who can leave a mark.
- He’s quick to react and locate the ball, and Thompson shows enough speed to succeed in backside pursuit. Thompson plays with excellent balance and a strong, flexible core, rarely ending up on the ground.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- He’ll need to be covered up to be effective. He’s not the kind of guy you can line up in the pass rush and have him bend the edge; he’s limited to shooting through gaps.
- He may have a tough time setting the edge in the run game, and Thompson struggles to disengage once blockers get into his chest.
- Thompson also shows some stiffness when trying to bend the edge, often getting pushed past the pocket — he seems more comfortable countering back inside.
BJ Thompson percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate BJ Thompson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
242.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
67.0
*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.