2015 NFL Scouting Combine: Shaq Thompson Says He Is A Linebacker

Forget that stuff about playing safety. Forget about running back, too. Shaq Thompson, a "Swiss Army knife" in the words of New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese, knows exactly what he wants to be be at the NFL level.

A linebacker.

"I tell everybody outside linebacker (in 4-3) or inside as a WILL (in 3-4)," Thompson told the media on Saturday at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. "that's where I feel the most comfortable. I like to be up by the line of scrimmage. I feel like I'm physical enough. I'm not the biggest guy, but I have a lot of heart."

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock listed Thompson as a safety in his positional rankings. The former Washington star checked in at 6-feet, 228 pounds at the Combine. He said he wouldn't refuse to play safety, but "I'm gonna put it out there that I want to play linebacker."

The Giants, as they seemingly always can, could use help at linebacker. With Jacquian Williams headed to free agency there is an opening at the WILL, a spot Thompson would seem ideally suited for. The ninth overall pick seems too early for Thompson, who was unranked in Daniel Jeremiah's most recent top 50 Big Board, but could Thompson be in play for the Giants if he is available in Round 2?