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Georgia Rookies Fit, Concerns and Predictions: Defense

By Savannah McCoy

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Lorenzo Carter #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after blocking the field goal attempt from Austin Seibert #43 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Lorenzo Carter #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after blocking the field goal attempt from Austin Seibert #43 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles with the football ahead of defensive tackle Trenton Thompson #78 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 26-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles with the football ahead of defensive tackle Trenton Thompson #78 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 26-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Trenton Thompson

Pick: Undrafted

Team: Cleveland Browns

Fit:

Trenton Thompson’s three years at Georgia read more like a tragedy than like the triumph he was ordained for. He never quite panned out into the pass rusher and run stuffer he’d shown promise as in high school.

Because of his lack of success, Thompson’s decision to forego his senior season came as a surprise. He was never fully healthy while he played in Athens, but a healthy senior season on a team that looks poised for another SEC-championship run would have bolstered his resume and pushed him back into the draft.

As it stands, the Cleveland Browns were smart to take a low-risk, high-reward flyer on Thompson.

Thompson’s size and athleticism allow him to move between defensive tackle and defensive end. His long arms help him get leverage on offensive linemen and deflect passes. He can overpower guards and tackles when he gets a step on them.

Injuries limited his playing time, so his stats don’t flash on paper. They don’t reveal the truth about his potential as a pass rusher though.

Cleveland has several weaknesses, but the defensive line is one of their few strengths. That takes pressure off of Thompson. With all the talent Thompson has, the Browns hope some time to get healthy will turn Thompson into a gem.

Concerns:

Injury history is the most obvious drawback. An MCL sprain in a blow out victory against Tennessee hindered Thompson the most this season, keeping him out of three games.

Even when he was healthy enough to play, he was only on the field for one-third of Georgia’s defensive snaps.

Thompson’s initial step off the snap has also been a concern. How his knee recovers could dictate how quickly he gets off the snap.

Prediction:

Of all the Georgia rookies, Thompson is the hardest to predict. He could become an effective starter for the Browns, in the long run, a good rotational piece in the short term. Or he could never reach the form he held in high school and be out of the league in a few short years.

Next: Braves News

Thompson plays hard, but playing hard will not matter if he cannot stay healthy.

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