morasp
Well-Known Member
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Strengths
Has legit big-time sprinter's speed with very quick turnover and is field-fast. Cat-quick to the corner, accelerates very quickly and can easily take the perimeter. Good vision and cutback ability -- is patient and follows his blocks. Can tightrope-walk the sideline. Very quick to and through the hole once he sees a crease and can stick his foot in the dirt and go. Catches in stride with ease and can make difficult one-handed snags (see Arizona). Has home-run speed in the return game, with three career return TDs. Exceptional pro day performance.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/deanthony-thomas?id=2543638
STRENGTHS: Without question, Thomas is the most electric player in the 2014 draft. He boasts remarkable elusiveness, instant acceleration and the speed to pull away from defenders to make him a legitimate threat to score each time he touches the ball. Shows good vision, locating holes and slithering through them to get into the open field. Has soft, natural hands for the reception, easily snagging passes and securing them quickly. Tougher than he looks, showing a willingness to lower his shoulder and fight through initial contact to gain as much yardage as possible. Offers the versatility to play several roles, potentially freeing up a roster spot due for other players.
WEAKNESSES: There is not an NFL offense better suited to taking advantage of Thomas' skill-set than the one he's leaving at Oregon, where wide splits, a dual-threat quarterback and up-tempo play-calling all exaggerated his talents. Does not possess the size and power to play more than a complementary role as an NFL running back. Most teams prefer a larger, tougher player at kick returner, as well. While a highly productive receiver with the Ducks, caught most of his passes on simple passes to the flats and quick screens and therefore while certainly possessing the quickness and balance to ultimately gain separation as a receiver, Thomas is a raw route-runner. Thomas' production and durability dropped each of his three seasons at Oregon...
COMPARES TO: Tavon Austin, St. Louis Rams - Thomas possesses a stouter frame and obviously more experience at running back than Austin had while at West Virginia and therefore could be viewed as even more versatile than last year's No. 8 overall pick. While boasting soft, reliable hands, he's also much more of a project as a route-runner than Austin, who, recorded "just" 418 yards receiving as a rookie... Early in their respect careers, expect both to make their biggest contributions as returners. Given the decreasing role of returners in today's NFL, it begs the old sports car analogy. They're flashy but how practical are they and will their amount of use ever match the high price tag?
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1880868/deanthony-thomas
Has legit big-time sprinter's speed with very quick turnover and is field-fast. Cat-quick to the corner, accelerates very quickly and can easily take the perimeter. Good vision and cutback ability -- is patient and follows his blocks. Can tightrope-walk the sideline. Very quick to and through the hole once he sees a crease and can stick his foot in the dirt and go. Catches in stride with ease and can make difficult one-handed snags (see Arizona). Has home-run speed in the return game, with three career return TDs. Exceptional pro day performance.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/deanthony-thomas?id=2543638
STRENGTHS: Without question, Thomas is the most electric player in the 2014 draft. He boasts remarkable elusiveness, instant acceleration and the speed to pull away from defenders to make him a legitimate threat to score each time he touches the ball. Shows good vision, locating holes and slithering through them to get into the open field. Has soft, natural hands for the reception, easily snagging passes and securing them quickly. Tougher than he looks, showing a willingness to lower his shoulder and fight through initial contact to gain as much yardage as possible. Offers the versatility to play several roles, potentially freeing up a roster spot due for other players.
WEAKNESSES: There is not an NFL offense better suited to taking advantage of Thomas' skill-set than the one he's leaving at Oregon, where wide splits, a dual-threat quarterback and up-tempo play-calling all exaggerated his talents. Does not possess the size and power to play more than a complementary role as an NFL running back. Most teams prefer a larger, tougher player at kick returner, as well. While a highly productive receiver with the Ducks, caught most of his passes on simple passes to the flats and quick screens and therefore while certainly possessing the quickness and balance to ultimately gain separation as a receiver, Thomas is a raw route-runner. Thomas' production and durability dropped each of his three seasons at Oregon...
COMPARES TO: Tavon Austin, St. Louis Rams - Thomas possesses a stouter frame and obviously more experience at running back than Austin had while at West Virginia and therefore could be viewed as even more versatile than last year's No. 8 overall pick. While boasting soft, reliable hands, he's also much more of a project as a route-runner than Austin, who, recorded "just" 418 yards receiving as a rookie... Early in their respect careers, expect both to make their biggest contributions as returners. Given the decreasing role of returners in today's NFL, it begs the old sports car analogy. They're flashy but how practical are they and will their amount of use ever match the high price tag?
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1880868/deanthony-thomas
