2010 NFL Draft Preview: Earl Thomas

When the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft is completed, there is a very good chance three safeties will be chosen. One of the names that will be called will be Earl Thomas out of Texas.

Earl Thomas' Strengths

When looking at Thomas' overall game, the one thing that stands out as his greatest strength is his football IQ. At the collegiate level, Thomas showed a knack for reading the quarterback and is especially effective against play-action plays.

Another strength Earl Thomas has is his ability to play the run and help support their front seven. He was one of the main reasons why Texas had the top rated run defense in the country.

The last strength that will be appealing to the NFL teams is Thomas' ability to make plays when he has the ball. During this last season, Thomas hauled in eight interceptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Earl Thomas' Weaknesses

The most glaring weakness for Thomas has to be his lack of experience and maturity are not enough after leaving college after his sophomore season.

While Thomas was able to produce at Texas, there is a concern that his size, 5'10" and 197lbs, may not be enough to handle the rigors of the NFL.

The last area of concern for the NFL teams is Thomas' desire to make a gamble on the ball. Sometimes it does pay off, but when it does not, he has some ground to make up in a hurry.

Earl Thomas Will Be Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have the corner position locked up with one of the best duos in the game, Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall. But they are in need of some help down the middle. Thomas' football instincts and his ability to shut down the run will help take this defense to the next level.

Though Earl Thomas' future in the NFL may not be at the safety position, it is clear that he will enjoy a solid career with the team that selects him in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Resources

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/earl-thomas?id=496745

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1245247?tag=untagged

http://www.nfl.com