Keytaon Thompson, WR Virginia: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Thompson was a four-star recruit as a dual threat quarterback from Landry-Walker High School in New Orleans, La. in the class of 2017

The Virginia Cavaliers have a trio of wide receivers who are eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft. Dontayvion Wicks is the headliner and Billy Kemp is an under-the-radar bargain, but Keytaon Thompson is the most intriguing member of the bunch. Let’s explore the former quarterback’s versatility and upside together.

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Keytaon Thompson, WR Virginia: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Sixth-year slot receiver from New Orleans, La.

Background: Thompson was a four-star recruit as a dual threat quarterback from Landry-Walker High School in New Orleans, La. in the class of 2017. He was the No. 176 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 85 for Rivals, and No. 158 for On3.com. Thompson was an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 79 grade out of 100. As a high school senior, Thompson was the 2016-17 Gatorade Player of the Year in Louisiana. That season, he completed 198 of 331 passes for 3,825 yards, 46 touchdowns, and only five interceptions in 14 games. Thompson also carried the ball 152 times for 1,434 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2016. He completed the historic year by generating 457 yards of total offense and six touchdowns in a 2016 Class 5A state championship game victory. He was credited with 10,737 yards and 149 touchdowns during his high school career. Thompson was a three-year starter in basketball, winning Class 4A state championships in 2014 and 2015. He transferred from Mississippi State to Virginia in 2020. Thompson is working toward a master’s degree in higher education. He has one sibling and was born on Oct. 23, 1998.

2021 Production: 12 games, 78 receptions, 990 yards, 2 touchdowns + 39 carries, 247 yards, 4 touchdowns

2020 Production: 9 games, 7 receptions, 98 yards, 3 touchdowns + 39 carries, 234 yards, 3 touchdowns

2019 Production: 1 game, 1 reception, 8 yards, Redshirt Year

2018 Production (QB): 9 games, 39 attempts, 18 completions, 458 yards, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception + 24 carries, 226 yards, 4 touchdowns

2017 Production (QB): 10 games, 66 attempts, 32 completions, 388 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions + 75 carries, 446 yards, 6 touchdowns

Injuries & Off-Field: Played with a cast on a broken hand in 2021

Awards: 2017 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll, 2018 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll, 2021 ACC All-Academic Team, 2021 Second-Team All-ACC (All-Purpose)

Pros: Some experience on special teams, can play quarterback on trick plays, experience in the slot and out wide, ultimate alignment versatility, plenty of wiggle, massive frame capable of taking a beating on carries, tough to bring down, fights for extra yards, out-physicals defensive backs who try to jam him or disrupt his route, finishes catches through contact, looks like a running back with the ball in his hands, finds holes in zone coverage, deceptive speed, uses hands to combat press coverage, varies route tempo, some experience as a running back in pass protection, flashes of making spectacular hands catches outside of his frame, long strides cover ground quickly, catch radius

Cons: Age, committed four penalties in 2021, drops occasionally pop up, plenty of schemed touches and short passes, big target for defensive backs in press coverage, might be too much of a college tweener, lacks home run speed, route tree needs development, separation on intermediate and deep routes is inconsistent, would like to see him be more aggressive as a blocker, lacks blocking technique, could do a better job consistently playing to his size in contested catch chances, lacks the speed to consistently win deep, plays high

Overview: Thompson is unofficially listed at 6'4", 217 lbs. The Louisiana native is built like a quarterback but runs with the power and wiggle of a tall running back. He lacks the speed and complete route tree to win at all three levels of the field consistently, but that’s not much of a problem considering his ability to create YAC on short and intermediate throws. Thompson has a large frame that cornerbacks love to target in press coverage, but Thompson’s active hands and playing strength have helped him play through their attacks so far. Virginia allowed Thompson to line up almost anywhere, including in the backfield for some reps in pass protection. NFL teams looking to set the blueprint for Thompson’s usage might want to check out what Atlanta did with Cordarrelle Patterson in 2021.

Overall, creative player callers like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan might value Thompson as a late Day 2 pick, and his draft floor currently sits in the fourth round. He could fall further if the NFL becomes concerned about him lacking a true long-term position in the pros.

Role & Scheme Fit: Scheme versatile player who primarily lines up in the slot and backfield

Round Projection: Late Fourth to Mid Fifth

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-13-22