Deven Thompkins Scouting Report: 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Report
Wide Receiver, Utah State Aggies #13
Deven Thompkins Measurements
5’8” / 155 lbs
40 time: 4.4 (estimated)
Deven Thompkins NFL Draft Player Profile
Thompkins started his high school career at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Florida. As a sophomore, he gained 848 all-purpose yards, broke up 15 passes, and had five interceptions. He would earn a 4A all-state first-team nomination for his efforts. He followed that up by garnering a 4A all-state second-team honor with 49 catches, 920 yards, and 15 touchdowns as a junior. After that he decided to transfer to Dunbar High School, also located in Fort Myers, Florida, for his senior season. He would help the Tigers reach the semifinals of the 5A state playoffs. Deven would amass 398 yards on 23 catches with six touchdowns during the season. Even with the early success, Thompkins didn’t earn a rating via 247Sports, and enrolled at Utah State.
During his first three years with the Aggies, Deven didn’t see consistent playing time. During that time he would snag 69 catches for 815 yards and five touchdowns. Prior to the 2021 season, Thompkins entered his name in the transfer portal. Ultimately, he decided to stay with the Aggies. This is a decision that I’m sure both he and the school are thankful for now. Thompkins broke out during the 2021 season. He finished the seasons leading the team in receptions (102), yards (1,702), and yards per catch (16.7). His 10 touchdown catches were tied for 2nd on the team. Oh, and those his 1,702 yards receiving were good enough for 2nd in the nation. Behind only Western Kentucky’s Jerreth Sterns, who only had some quarterback named Bailey Zappe throwing him the ball.
Deven Thompkins Strengths
Speed
There’s one thing you always hear in football, you can’t teach speed. Boy does Deven have speed. While I couldn’t find an official time for his 40-yard dash anywhere, I could see the estimated 4.4 time as a reality. Not only does he have high top end speed, but it doesn’t take him long to get up to full speed. You could see this when he would come in motion before the snap and start his route at full speed. He just exploded off the line of scrimmage.
Getting off LOS
When given space off the line of scrimmage, you saw Thompkins’ acceleration first hand. He could close the gap on any flat footed defender caught off guard. You didn’t see very much in regards to defensive backs wanting to press him because of that speed. However, the few times that I saw it, Deven still had no issues beating the press and getting into his route. Thompkins has quick feet and great footwork. I saw multiple times where he just embarrassed the defender off the line.
Strength
Utah State WR Deven Thompkins
For a player of his size, I was extremely impressed by his overall strength. You could see it on display during his blocking. Taking size out of the equation, I would say Thompkins is a solid blocker. But given the size that he gives up to most opponents, it’s extremely good blocking. You also see it with his ability to not only hold onto the ball through contact, but also Deven’s ability to break tackles. Thompkins is hard enough to get a hold of because of his speed and quickness. However, just because you get him, that doesn’t guarantee a tackle.
Route Running
I would expect someone with speed like Deven to not be as sharp with route running, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Because of his great change of direction skill, what I like to call twitch factor, he can make nice, sharp cuts. He can get up to speed, make the defender think he was running a fly and then stop on a dime and hit the curl. If he did run a deep route, it wasn’t really in straight line. He would cut in and out, making it look like other routes and getting the defender turned around.
Deven Thompkins Weaknesses
Size
Even as much as I brag about Thompkins’ strength, his size at the NFL level is still a concern for me personally. He has held up fine in college, but the Mountain West Conference isn’t the same as going up against NFL size and strength on a weekly basis. Other players, such as Darren Sproles, had great careers being a smaller player. However, even Sproles had over 30 pounds on Deven, even though he was two inches shorter.
Deven Thompkins Draft Stock
Thompkins started the season relatively unknown. Even as the season progressed and he continued to put up big numbers, he still has flown somewhat under the radar. NFL Mock Database, currently shows him as their 317th overall prospect and as a projected undrafted free agent. Personally, I think that he is an interesting prospect that teams aren’t going to want to let get to free agency. I would love for him to get an NFL Combine invite, so I can watch him and Penn State’s Jahan Dotson put on a show. I personally see Thompkins as a Day 3 pick.
Final Thoughts on Deven Thompkins Scouting Report
Thompkins has a lot of skills that I think NFL teams would love to have. Track speed, good hands, good route running, stronger than expected… it’s all there. I think he’s very comparable to Dotson in terms of skill set. You give Thompkins the extra three inches and 30 pounds that Jahan has, and you would see him jump up the charts. IF he can stay healthy, he’s got potential “steal” energy going on.
Pro Comparison: TBD
Deven Thompkins Scouting Report by Brandon Claburn
