Packers didn't submit a bid on WSU S Jalen Thompson in supplemental draft
-- The Green Bay Packers can still utilize outside resources to add depth to their roster, but it won't be through the supplemental draft.
It came and passed on Wednesday, with the only player selected being Washington State University's Jalen Thompson. The Packers were one of 26 teams in attendance for Thompson's pre-draft workout earlier this week, and their interest was so significant that they flew him to Green Bay for further testing and an interview.
However, general manager Brian Gutekunst opted not to submit a bid for Thompson. The Arizona Cardinals, who were higher in the pecking order, had priority and submitted a fifth-round pick for Thompson.
Rather than act on their interest, the Packers' plans changed.
According to Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline, the Packers opted not to submit a pick at all for Thompson, and would instead "go hard" for him if he reached free agency. Pauline also notes that the Packers were willing to offer Thompson a sizable contract.
Thompson, an all-conference defensive back for the Cougars, was declined eligibility for his senior season due to a violation of NCAA rules. He applied for the supplemental draft in an effort to enter the NFL a year early.
The odds are stacked against Thompson -- only eight players taken in the supplemental draft since 1985 have made the Pro Bowl in their careers. While evaluations are all over the board on Thompson's play -- mostly ranging between being a day two or a day three pick -- he would've offered the Packers a talented, promising component to their secondary.
Seemingly shared perception about Thompson's play is that he's strongest in man coverage, is an efficient tackler and is hardly beaten down the field, if at all.
For now, the Packers will likely enter training camp with the tandem of first-round pick Darnell Savage and new free-agent acquisition Adrian Amos as their starting safeties.
Raven Greene flashed in his rookie campaign last year as an undrafted free agent who managed to earn live, regular-season reps. Josh Jones, a 2017 second-round pick who recently requested a trade out of Green Bay, may be on the roster bubble if the Packers fail to find a trade partner -- that is if they even entertain his request.
Tray Matthews and Mike Tyson round out the team's safety unit. Natrell Jamerson and Tramon Williams, listed as cornerbacks on the Packers' roster, are also capable of offering multi-positional services at safety.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (4)
PoizNgun
July 13, 2019 at 04:05 am
Idk, the prospect was exciting. He seemed like he would've been a top 2-3 safety in the draft.. to get him for even a 5th next year is a steal IMO. Gute was caught being just a LITTLE too stingy with the picks, but I'm not mad at that.. that's the product of a savy veteran GM. Shooting for a guy with high draft pick potential in the UDFA or FA and being successful are the moves that make his legacy if it pays off.. and from all the work they put in to fly him out and butter him up, it seems as if he only fell just 2 rounds short of accomplishing this.. well played Gute, you win some and you lose some. Lesson learned.
Thegreatreynoldo
July 13, 2019 at 05:33 pm
Agreed. It sounds like Thompson would have been good value at a 5th round cost, and better value since the pick is next year but he plays this year.
Moreover, although Arizona had the higher priority, that just means they get more chances to be awarded Thompson if their bid is in the same round as GB's. If both ARI and GB had put in 5th round bids, there is a chance that Thompson gets awarded to GB rather than ARI.
IDK this kid. Sounds like a FS, and we have several candidates at FS. So, not a need pick: GB would have had to think he is just a good football player.
CoachJV
July 13, 2019 at 09:15 am
It was a wise move not to make a play for him. There will be far more talented players to choose from in next draft. He wasn't worth giving a future pick.
ricky
July 13, 2019 at 10:43 am
Right now, he is one of 90 players trying for 53 roster positions, or a chance at the practice squad. If he isn't waived, and lands on the practice squad, the Packers could offer him a spot on their 53 if the need arises during the season. But this is all conjecture. If the Packers had really valued him, they would have put in some sort of bid. That they didn't, after doing their due diligence, says a lot. He is a UFA project, and the team already has several of those on the roster already.