Syd'Quan Thompson CB 5'9 187 California

[Warren94]

I believe he would be a perfect fit in our secondary. ballhawker, little on the small side, but I think he would help our defensive secondary immediately.

 

[mayoclinic]

He'll be a late 2nd or early 3rd round pick. Do you really want us to take CB that high, unless we lose Leigh Bodden?

He sounds too much like Wheatley for me. If we do go after a CB in that area, I'd rather go after Kareem Jackson (my preference), Brandon Ghee or Amari Spievey.

 

[DW Toys]

He'll be a late 2nd or early 3rd round pick. Do you really want us to take CB that high, unless we lose Leigh Bodden?

He sounds too much like Wheatley for me. If we do go after a CB in that area, I'd rather go after Kareem Jackson (my preference), Brandon Ghee or Amari Spievey.

Lindley from Kentucky?
DW Toys

 

[BradyManny]

I'm well behind on draft work, but I wasn't even really planning on spending much time on the secondary. That's one unit that - if we sign Bodden - will stay as it is. In fact, if anything, we might have to lose a guy to make room for Arrington, whose value on Special Teams and ability to get on the 45 man roster might bump off a guy like Wheatley, if we needed the roster spot badly enough.

 

[Warren94]

Bodden may want to finally get paid. Wilhite is more suited at nickel IMO. Wheatley with his wrist issues. I realize there are more pressing issues *no pun intended* but I feel that the secondary too needs to be addressed.

 

[MagnumPI5]

He'll be a late 2nd or early 3rd round pick. Do you really want us to take CB that high, unless we lose Leigh Bodden?

He sounds too much like Wheatley for me. If we do go after a CB in that area, I'd rather go after Kareem Jackson (my preference), Brandon Ghee or Amari Spievey.

With the NFL leaning stronger to passing-centric offenses, I think that is becoming increasingly important to keep a constant influx of secondary talent through the draft. In fact, in six out of the last seven drafts, the Patriots have selected a secondary player in the top three rounds. We have the luxury of having four quality players at safety, so I wouldn't expect that area to be addressed in the draft (at least not in the early rounds); however, while our CB situation is solid, we do have some areas of apprehension (Bodden (contract); Springs (age); Butler (should be fine, but didn't quite progress as hoped); Wilhite (talent); Wheatley (numerous question marks)). Also, keep in mind, our assessment of CB need might be a little more positively skewed in contrast to previous seasons, as overall we did not have a lot of injury concerns. If we had had a serious injury or two more, I think that we would diagnose the CB position as a more urgent need, worthy of being one of our top picks.
With that said, Thompson would be a great pick if he drops to 2b or 2c. Size will probably make him drop a little. If he were 1.5-2 inches taller, he'd probably be considered a solid 1st round talent.

 

[mayoclinic]

With the NFL leaning stronger to passing-centric offenses, I think that is becoming increasingly important to keep a constant influx of secondary talent through the draft. In fact, in six out of the last seven drafts, the Patriots have selected a secondary player in the top three rounds. We have the luxury of having four quality players at safety, so I wouldn't expect that area to be addressed in the draft (at least not in the early rounds); however, while our CB situation is solid, we do have some areas of apprehension (Bodden (contract); Springs (age); Butler (should be fine, but didn't quite progress as hoped); Wilhite (talent); Wheatley (numerous question marks)). Also, keep in mind, our assessment of CB need might be a little more positively skewed in contrast to previous seasons, as overall we did not have a lot of injury concerns. If we had had a serious injury or two more, I think that we would diagnose the CB position as a more urgent need, worthy of being one of our top picks.
With that said, Thompson would be a great pick if he drops to 2b or 2c. Size will probably make him drop a little. If he were 1.5-2 inches taller, he'd probably be considered a solid 1st round talent.

Unless Leigh Bodden leaves, I really don't want to use a top pick on the secondary. I think we have a lot of talent in the secondary. We just need to give it time to mature and gel, and we need to get more pressure up front so that opposing QB's don't have all day to throw. No secondary is going to stop Manning, Brees and Rivers when they aren't under pressure.

I'd like to see us stand pat with our secondary for this year and address other areas. We have a top pick from the Raiders in 2011, and arguably the best CB prospect since Champ Bailey likely coming out in LSU's Patrick Peterson. I see no need to draft more Wheatley smurfs in the meantime if we can possibly help it. JMHO.

 

[WhiZa]

Wheatley with his wrist issues.

Wheatley's wrist issues may be tied to all the free time he has been spending on the bench.

 

[Seneschal2]

I believe he would be a perfect fit in our secondary. ballhawker, little on the small side, but I think he would help our defensive secondary immediately.

He's on my short list for the Pats (no pun intended).

Lindley from Kentucky?

Also on my short list.

The Wheatley critics are being a bit too harsh IMO. If you had seen him play in college, most here would have the same opinion of him that I do -- he's a really talented cover corner. And most would be waiting (as I am) for him to show his skills. Currently, I'm classifying him as an enigma. Is he finally healthy? Why has he been inactive in many games but not on the injury list? Is he unimpressive in practice and slow to develop?

His talent was obvious enough to select him in round two. So I'll give him one more season -- then re-evaluate.

Regarding drafting a CB early. Bodden is the starter unless he departs -- then Butler will step right in. But the other side is a concern (IMO). I'm not a fan of Springs, and lack confidence that Wilhite can man the position full time. I won't close the door on him developing further...but right now I see him as a quality nickel. Now, if BB's opinion differs about the aforementioned two, then chances are he'll bypass the CB position early (through R-2). But if it's a concern, then round two seems like the proper place to address CB -- especially since he's done so twice in that round, and he's w/o a third round pick.

Finally, of course an improved pass rush will help the secondary. But it won't mask inadequate cover skills -- IF that's what exists.

 

[NePatriots]

We interviewed Syd'Quan a month ago or so, and he was a great guy. Team guy, versatile (punt return, corner, nickel corner), and a film rat. I'd love to get him in the late 2nd/early 3rd.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Are we really going to use one of our precious 2nd round picks on yet another midget corner? Unless we don't resign Bodden, I think corner is pretty much set. I think Butler will end up starting across from Bodden and it would be quite rare for a rookie corner to step in and start for us. Wilhite should be fine as a nickel, where teams can't target him to pick on as much.

As for Wheatley? Who knows. There have been lots of 2nd round pick busts on midgets at CB. Terrence Wheatley, Ellis hobbs, Brock Williams, etc. I think those types of guys are more suitable to play nickel. What does Thompson bring to the table that Wilhite doesn't? Is he only a marginal upgrade at the NB position? Why are you spending 2nd round picks for more nickelbacks?

This team needs OG, OLB, ILB, and WR help. A 3-4 DE wouldn't hurt either. There are higher priorities. If you want to develop a corner, try to develop a high ceiling one in the 4th and hope he turns into the next Asante.

 

[mayoclinic]

Are we really going to use one of our precious 2nd round picks on yet another midget corner? Unless we don't resign Bodden, I think corner is pretty much set. I think Butler will end up starting across from Bodden and it would be quite rare for a rookie corner to step in and start for us. Wilhite should be fine as a nickel, where teams can't target him to pick on as much.

As for Wheatley? Who knows. There have been lots of 2nd round pick busts on midgets at CB. Terrence Wheatley, Ellis hobbs, Brock Williams, etc. I think those types of guys are more suitable to play nickel. What does Thompson bring to the table that Wilhite doesn't? Is he only a marginal upgrade at the NB position? Why are you spending 2nd round picks for more nickelbacks?

This team needs OG, OLB, ILB, and WR help. A 3-4 DE wouldn't hurt either. There are higher priorities. If you want to develop a corner, try to develop a high ceiling one in the 4th and hope he turns into the next Asante.

:agree::agree:

Well said.

 

[satz]

I am not ready to throw another pick that way. We have to sign bodden. He is a good player and we can put him on a No 2 receiver in any team to shut down or atleast make plays on.

Then use butler [PI specialist ] and Wilhitte [This was first full year too if you remember on the No 1 with some help.both these guys need to learn to turn to track the ball. they both repeatly play the WR and get PI or get beat.Next year if they pick that 1 skill a bit more they will be effective.

Rotate springs in redzone no the No1.

The the rest can play ther 3rd and 4th options which in some teams are TE which mcgown covers.

we got to get pressure to help these guys.

 

[Warren94]

If you guys honestly think the secondary is in good shape.. I just disagreee. Springs is long in the tooth and is in the twilight of his career. Wilhite, Wheatley are fine in the nickel. Butler is ok and has time to blossom.

Thompson is a solid tackler in the secondary. Merriweather tends to go for the big hit rather than wrap up and butler has had challenges at the college and pro level doing that as well.


my 2cents

we keep hearing about the olb position as a position of need and BB still hasn't gone that direction so we will just have to ride this one out.

 

[Defsoul]

I wonder how he will work out at the combine. If he is small and slow... no thanks.

That said I would rather have a guy like Brandon Ghee or Perrish Cox. Leigh Bodden has shown us what a tall corner can do for you.