:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69139490/1030678182.jpg.0.jpg)
Former Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas opted out of the 2020 season after putting together a solid 2019 campaign. The good news for Thomas is he was able to perform well during his week at the Senior Bowl in January to give scouts an up close and personal look at the type of player he is.
During Thomas’ time at Michigan, he recorded 54 tackles, four interceptions, and recovered five fumbles. Now, he is a member of the San Francisco 49ers.
Here’s the rundown on Thomas.
Info
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 191
School: Michigan
Position: Cornerback
Projected: Late 2nd-3rd
Pro Day Results
Bench Press 225 pounds: 15
Vertical: 38”
Broad Jump: 10’2”
40-Yard Dash: 4.37
Strengths
- Heart, heart, and some more heart. Thomas was diagnosed with colitis in June of 2019, lost 35 pounds due to colon inflammation, but battled back and regained his strength and weight before the start of the season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh pointed to Thomas’ positive attitude and maturity during the recovery process.
- Strong for his size, always ready to get physical and use his hands at the line of scrimmage in press coverage.
- Has the ability to get low and use his shoulder to tackle strong receivers. A willing tackler.
- Good ball skills
- Played special teams and was a return specialist at Michigan.
- Really good 40-time at his pro day.
- Fluid hips.
- Good understanding of route concepts, which in turn gives the QB a hard time throwing his direction.
- Only 20 years old.
Weaknesses
- Can get a little too grabby. Penalties at the next level will be a concern.
- Can get burnt deep. He’s fast, so when he loses deep it has more to do with technique and making a wrong move or two along the way.
- Not necessarily an outside corner presently. Although Thomas is physical, he may have more immediate success at the nickel corner.
- Opted out of the 2020 season. Will this make him drop in the draft? We’ll see.
Overview
Ambry Thomas was a good college cornerback and was Michigan’s best corner in 2019. While opting out of the 2020 season could hurt Thomas’ stock somewhat, the fact he fared well during practices at the Senior Bowl should offset some of those concerns.
Thomas has the potential to become a starting cornerback, but his good speed, above-average film, and potential at just 20 years old should have him coming off the board in round two or three. Thomas slipping further than that would be a surprise.
Whether it’s late second, or in the third, Thomas in those spots still represents a value pick in my opinion as he has a lot of upside to his game. Thomas has already proven his love of football and his determination to get back on the field after suffering a serious infection. That same type of mindset still exists in Thomas and will be ready and willing to put on more weight to alleviate concerns that he can’t play on the outside in press coverage against physical NFL receivers.