Deven Thompkins Prospect Profile

Text - Aaron Nihart | 

Graphics - Justin Barber | @Justin_B

Typically a prospect listed at 5’8” and 155 pounds would probably make you think that you’re looking at an underclassmen in high school. But absolutely nothing about Deven Thompkins is typical.

Second in the country in receiving yards (1,704) and fourth in receptions (102), Thompkins averaged 16.7 yards per catch on his way to earning Third Team All-American honors. With a style that doesn’t fit his frame, and a frame non-typical of an NFL prospect, Thompkins is one of the most interesting prospects of this draft class and one of the players I am most excited about.

H: 5’8”

W: 155

School: Utah State

Position: Wide Receiver

Strengths

● Speed

● Hands

● Explosiveness

Deven Thompkins at his best is unlike any athlete I have ever seen play wide receiver at his size. Not only does he have the burner speed that you would expect from an undersized NFL draft prospect, but his film is littered with jump balls and contested catches.

Excellent jump ball skills aren’t usually synonymous with someone standing at 5’7”, but it’s one of the main reasons Thompkins got to 1,702 yards in his senior season. In the screen game, you can see the game-breaking speed with ease, as evidenced by a play he made against North Dakota where he outsprinted the entire defense. Thompkins also finished his senior season averaging 23.0 yards per kick return, a skill that can help him carve out a role early in the NFL.

Weaknesses

● Size

● Route Tree

5’8” and 155 pounds is not an inspiring profile for an NFL draft prospect. The only real comparably sized players active in the NFL are Rondale Moore and Tarik Cohen. This isn’t to say it’s not possible for Thompkins to find success, but with that frame durability and performance questions will be raised.

On tape, Thompkins clearly finds ways to get open, but speed and explosiveness doesn’t win on its own in the NFL. Thompkins will need to show teams that he can improve in an NFL route tree in order to carve out a niche similar to Moore.

Fantasy forecast

5th Round - UDFA

Thompkins’ stock is going to rise or fall depending on this pre-draft process, and his 40-yard dash time and pro day are going to be everything. If he runs and performs well enough to spark the interest of teams, he’ll get drafted and could move into the 5th round. If he underwhelms in his 40 or doesn’t impress at his pro day he could fall out of the draft and be susceptible to the free agent market. His fit will matter for his fantasy potential, but Thompkins is certainly a high potential/low cost value that I will be taking a spin on in dynasty formats late in the draft.

Plays like

Christian Kirk - This isn’t a great comp. Go watch Thompkins’ highlights, it’s about as unique as it gets.

Verdict

Remember the name because there is potential to be had with Deven Thompkins. If he is drafted come April, I’ll be trying to gather as many shares as possible. He’s got the talent, we’ll see if the NFL thinks he is worth the opportunity. A late round flier? I’ll take a swing here come draft season.

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Buckeye in every way, raised in northwest Ohio but residing in Indianapolis, Aaron does writing and podcasting for SleeperWire. From IDP to Campus 2 Canton, he’s all over the place and a resource for them all.

An Eastern Michigan alumni, Aaron is deep into all sports. A fan of the Steelers, Buckeyes, Cubs, Pacers and Blue Jackets, there’s always something to talk about. In the summers you can find me at a local race track, on the golf course or hanging out with his girlfriend and dogs. Other than sports Aaron is always down to talk craft beer, local restaurants or about the meaning of life.

Follow Aaron - @AaronNihart