2015 Mock Draft: Packers select Shaq Thompson

With the 30th pick in the 2015 Acme Packing Company mock draft, Jason B. Hirschhorn assumed the role of Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson. In that capacity, he has selected:

Shaq Thompson, linebacker, Washington

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 228 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.64 seconds
Bench: 20 reps
Vertical jump: 32 1/2"
Broad jump: 117"
3-cone: 6.99 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.08 seconds

Here's Jason's explanation of the pick:

With the NFL increasingly implementing spread concepts to open up the passing game, having an off-ball linebacker who can effectively cover a tight end or slot receiver is critical to a defense's success. While the Packers believe that Sam Barrington could be one of their answers at inside linebacker, they need another player to step in beside him. Clay Matthews performed well there in a part-time role last season, but the team is better off with their best pass rusher playing off the edge as much as possible.

Enter Shaq Thompson. He came to Washington as a five-star safety recruit who built himself into one of the best linebackers in the country. He possesses excellent coverage skills and above average instincts, making Thompson a great complement to Barrington in the middle of the defense. He may take more time to settle in than Eric Kendricks, UCLA's talented off-ball backer, but Thompson has a higher ceiling. That tends to be the guy Green Bay GM Ted Thompson prefers with his first-round pick.