100 in 100: Syd 'Quan Thompson (60 of 100)

Thompson has been a popular topic of conversation around our parts and rightfully so considering he is a Bay Area product. Local talent always receives a bias and even moreso since the 49ers passed on Desean Jackson in 2008. Thompson, much like Jackson, has been noted as being very small for his respective playing position. He weighed in at 186 Pounds and measured 5'9" at the Combine. He was not able to participate in the events due to an injury prior to. While Thompson was an above average corner at the collegiate level of play, many think he will not be anything more than a return man in the NFL. There are very few players that have had success at the Pro Level at that position that were under 5'10". He will have a disadvantage against some of the taller receivers that have good leaping abilities (i.e. Brandon Marshall, Larry Fitzgerald, and Randy Moss). He may not be able to defend fade routes because of his size and could prove to be a huge liability in that area.

Question is, should or shouldn't the 49ers consider him as a draft pick if he falls to the right slot? I don't think he fits Scot McCloughan's profile in what he would like to have at Cornerback but he was responsible for bringing in Tarrell Brown who happens to be on the smaller side of Scot M's preferred profile.

Thompson's career as a Golden Bear was interesting to say the least. In 2005, he redshirted and did not play a single down but in '06 when teammate and fellow corner Tim Mixon got injured before the season began, Thompson had to step in and fill those shoes. The Golden Bear Corner had to play injured as well with a sprained wrist against Tennessee in the season opener. Robert Meachem, now with the New Orleans Saints, schooled Thompson a few times in that game and really made him look like a freshman. Although he played like a freshman in that game, he took it with a grain of salt and turned it around for the most part to have a good season the rest of that year. From '06 to this past season ('09), Thompson did not miss a game. This will bode well for him going in to the draft.

Below, as you have grown custom to, we'll provide the stats, highlights, awards and honors, and a projection at the bottom of the page of where Thompson could end up being drafted.

Thompson has had his ups and downs but has shown enough upside through his career to warrant some consideration to be a mid round pick. His size is exploited a couple times and he drew a couple penalties because of it. His skill set is there for the most part but I think the size will hurt him in the long run.

AWARDS AND HONORS:

• 2006 All-Freshman Team
• 2008 First Team All-Pac 10
• 2008 Pac 10 Special Teams Player of the Week

CAREER STATS:

SUMMARY AND PROJECTION:

I cannot see Thompson being selected any higher than the 3rd Round. If he was a couple inches taller and a few pounds heavier, he'd definitely be worth considering as a solid 2nd Rounder. My thoughts are that at best he is selected in the 3rd and at worst he could fall to the end of the 4th Round. His main contibution to begin with and possibly even end with special teams. There have been alot of players like Thompson that have made significant contributions on special teams though and helped their respective teams be great in that area.

Possibilities -- 3rd Round: Picks 65-95, 4th Round: Picks 96-127.

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