2010 Draft - Round 1, Pick 14, Overall Pick 14: Earl Thomas

[robdog]

Seahawks picked Earl Thomas for their second pick in the draft. DISCUSS!

Earl Thomas (SS)
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 208 lbs.
Arm Length: 31 1/4 in.
Hand Size: 9 3/8 in.
College: Texas
Conference: Big 12

Pick Analysis:
The Seahawks add a talented playmaker to the back end of their defense with the selection of Earl Thomas. As an instinctive safety with exceptional range and awareness, Thomas will eliminate some of the big plays that plagued the defense a season ago. Additionally, his exceptional cover skills will allow the Seahawks to creatively use him in their nickel packages as a sub-defender in the slot. Given his multi-faceted skills, Thomas was a sensible pick for a Seahawks team in desperate need of playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Overview:
Thomas is an undersized safety with great straight-line speed. He is an excellent athlete who has good hips and quickness for the safety position. He is competitive athlete who will fill the alley, but scouts question his effectiveness at the next level in that role. He is a solid open-field tackler, leveraging the ball well in the open field. He is an instinctive player who anticipates break points well to make plays in the passing game. He has excellent ball skills and has big-play potential when he makes the interception. Thomas is a very good football player who lacks ideal size but has high value in this year's draft.

Strengths:
Thomas is a ball-hawking safety with very good straight-line speed. Elite athlete with fluid hips who follows the quarterback's eyes and consistently jumps routes. Has the elusiveness to make people miss in space and can take an interception back to the house. Tough competitor who will fill in the running game and does not shy away from contact. Good tackler.

Weaknesses:
Thomas is lean and not very tall and may not have the strength to make plays inside the box at the next level. Size will also limit effectiveness against larger inside receivers who can out muscle him for the ball.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK_tq6nqCPU[/ame]

 

[Fenom]

Thread is unlocked for discussion.

 

[hmm19]

I had the privledge of coaching Earl in Pop Warner flag football in 96 and 97. The young man has a good family base, which means that you shouldn't have a talented young man screw it up by being stupid. He could have waited another year to "mature", but, because his parents lost their home in 2005 because of Hurricane Rita, he decided to go now to be able to buy them a new home.

Athletically, don't let his size fool you. He can sky over a taller receiver to steal a pass, or at the very least break it up. His speed is his greatest asset, because he can cover acreage quickly. I had him as a back way back in his flag days, and once he broke free from the scrum, he was gone. As a high school and college player, it was that speed and vertical leap that impressed.

I have been a fan of the Seahawks since their darker green (not lime green) days. I screamed out a big ole holler when I heard Earl's name associated with the Seahawks. And look out for another Thomas name from SE Texas, his younger brother Seth, who plays for McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He is pretty much as good as his brother, just younger.

Go Seahawks!

 

[#ONE]

Very nice first round... Hawks got a Franchise Left Tackle in Okung and a play making Safety in Thomas.

 

[EricOV]

Love this draft so far....damn good work PC and JS... so pumped for next season.

 

[Hawk30]

Very impressed so far. I was worried for a while but we did well. Can't wait for the season.