Player Profile: Deonte Thompson

Deonte Thompson is a 6' 0", 203 lb wide receiver. He was signed as an undrafted player out of the University of Florida, where he recorded 1,446 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. He only played in 6 games for Baltimore last season, recording 5 catches for 51 yards. However, Thompson has some seriously untapped potential, the potential to become Joe Flacco's second favorite receiver this coming season.

For starters, Thompson is arguably the fastest player on our roster. He ran a composite 40-yard dash time of 4.31 seconds at Florida's Pro Day workout, but has run the 40-yard dash in 4.23. That same day he bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times and had a vertical leap of 36 1/2 inches. As a track and field runner, Thompson has run 60 meters in 6.80 seconds, 100 meters in 10.59 seconds, and 200 meters in 21.29 seconds. If these numbers are over your head, they translate to speed, exceptional speed.

Thompson's got hands too. Harbaugh said of him,

Thompson could sneak in there, he looks different, is fast and catches everything

Thompson is confident, eager, and ready to prove himself in the regular season. He's turned heads with his training camp performance, bringing to light the opportunity for him to become a starter. He's a natural at running routes; combine this with his speed, athleticism, and soft hands, and you've got a complete package.

Why haven't fans heard more about Deonte Thompson? The answer is simple: the Boldin, Smith, and Jones corps worked well last season. There was little need for experimenting with any other receiver sets because Flacco had all he needed with those three guys. Now that Boldin is gone, Thompson has his chance in the spotlight. Caldwell and Harbaugh both like Thompson a lot, and have made a conscious effort to unleash the beast within. They are teaching Thompson the fundamentals, the routes, and the receiver game. With the right coaching, Deonte Thompson will shock the AFC North this coming season.