NFL Draft: 10 best players available after Round 1

2019 NFL Draft: 10 best players available after Round 1

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 10: Florida Gators offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) lines up for a play during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Alabama safety Deionte Thompson answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 03, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Alabama S Deionte Thompson

Alabama, once again, has several intriguing prospects heading into the NFL this year, and Deionte Thompson is a man to watch at the free safety position. There are size concerns with Thompson at 6’1″, 195 pounds, but he has so much upside as a rangy centerfielder; those types of defensive backs are always in demand.

Thompson could have easily heard his name called at the back end of the first round, but he should be a high second-round selection. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions, for example, could be in the market for a player who is widely regarded as the best pure cover guy at the position.

Since Thompson only had three interceptions and seven passes defended in his college career, his ability to force turnovers at the next level could be scrutinized. But safeties who keep the deep areas of the field clean are more than valuable even without the added bonus of creating takeaways, and Thompson could prove to be a regular starter in the NFL. He has to be considered, at the least, one of the three to five best safeties in the 2019 NFL Draft class. While Thompson doesn’t offer the hard-hitting and slot versatility that Oakland Raiders first-round pick Jonathan Abram does, he looks like an ideal starting free safety.

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