As a fifth-round pick in 2013, Thompson was seen as a speedy, change of pace back who could relieve Alfred Morris for a couple of carries a game. But injuries derailed Thompson’s hopes of making an impact early in his career. Instead, Thompson has had to reinvent his game. Rather than being a change of pace back, Thompson has developed into Washington’s third-down back. The 5-foot-8, 193-pound back has always been solid as a receiver, but there is more to the role than just being able to catch the ball. Thompson has had to learn how to block, which isn’t an easy task for any back, let alone one of his size.

But Thompson embraced the challenge. He worked on his blocking technique and has become a willing and effective blocker. That has made him a key part of Washington’s third-down package.

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Here, the Falcons run a stunt up front. The defensive end and tackle run a TEX, or tackle-end exchange stunt, while a linebacker blitzes behind them. Thompson reads the linebacker, knowing that is his responsibility. The ‘backer approaches the line of scrimmage and Thompson positions himself to take on the block. But instead of lunging at the linebacker, Thompson remains patient. The defensive end crosses the face of Thompson, who keeps his eyes on his target and slides outside to stay with the linebacker. Once engaged in the block, Thompson does a good job staying low and not allowing the linebacker with a significant size advantage to run over him.

Taking on bigger linebackers in protection could be intimidating for some smaller backs. But Thompson doesn’t back down from the challenge.

On this play, the Giants line up six players on the line of scrimmage, threatening to send a big blitz. As the ball is snapped, the Giants drop one linebacker into coverage while stunting their two defensive tackles to the left of the offensive line. Washington’s line slides to the left, leaving a gap between the right guard and right tackle, where the Giants send their other linebacker on a blitz. Thompson steps up to plug the gap, keeping himself low and landing a punch to the chest of the linebacker. That punch stops the linebacker and forces him to stand up straight, where Thompson takes advantage. He shoves the linebacker left and washes him out of the play. Other parts of the protection broke down and forced Kirk Cousins to scramble, but Thompson took care of his responsibility.

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Thompson’s protection has improved greatly since he entered the league. Still, he has room to improve. At his size, he has to be perfect with his technique or he’ll get beaten.

Like before, the Giants line up six defenders on the line of scrimmage. But this time, they send all six. Thompson is responsible for the A gap to the right of the center. Thompson approaches the line of scrimmage at an angle, stopping him from squaring up the blitzer. The linebacker is able to make a slight adjustment to his rush, taking a step to the outside which allows him to skip past Thompson with a swim move. Thompson fails to move his feet and correct his angle to square up the blitzer, meaning the linebacker gets past him easily and brings down Cousins for the sack.

Thompson still has to work to do to improve as a blocker, but the willingness and ability is certainly there. By working on his blocking to get it to this point, he managed to lock down the role of third-down back. He has to do the dirty work of blocking as a big portion of that role, but it also allows him to get on the field and get some touches. With Thompson’s speed and versatility on the field, Washington can be creative with how they use him.

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Here, Thompson lines up to the right of Cousins in the shotgun. As the ball is snapped, Thompson sprints around the back of Cousins to the left side of the field, while both guards work out to the flat as blockers on a screen pass. Cousins dumps the ball off to Thompson in the flat, who follows left guard Spencer Long down the field. He shows good patience, allowing Long to lead the path forward for him before eventually being shoved out of bounds for a 20-yard gain.

It wasn’t just in the screen game that Thompson was effective. He’s good enough as a receiver for Washington to move him into the slot or split him outside and find a good matchup for him.

Like before, Thompson starts this play in the backfield to the right of Cousins in the shotgun. But before the snap, Thompson motions out to the right, stacking behind wide receiver Pierre Garcon. That motion forces an Eagles linebacker to move outside and cover Thompson one-on-one. Garcon releases quickly inside and up the field, while Thompson takes an outside release. This isolates Thompson against the linebacker. Cousins holds the safeties in the middle of the field with his eyes, waiting until Thompson’s sharp cut inside to look his way and deliver the ball. Thompson makes the catch and walks in for a touchdown.

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Of course, as a running back, Thompson also takes the occasional hand-off. In the third-down back role, he spends most of his time blocking or running routes as a receiver, but occasionally he’ll be given the ball on running plays like a draw on third and long.

The draw play on third and long is used by just about everyone in the NFL. It’s a safe way to try and surprise a team, but mostly avoid losing any more yards and making sure you don’t turn over the ball. But with Thompson’s speed and agility, he has the potential to break one and pick up a first down. That’s exactly what happened on this play. The Eagles rushed just three and dropped the rest into coverage. Thompson had a lot of blocks set up well for him, but he had the speed to take advantage of those blocks and managed one final burst at the end to avoid a tackle and get the first down.

When Thompson entered the league, he might have dreamed of being the lead back, getting 20 carries a game. As that hasn’t happened, he’s adjusted and carved out a role for himself. He developed as a blocker, which allowed him to win the third-down back role and get himself on the field for important snaps. By doing that, he earned himself a chance to get touches and make plays.

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Thompson’s career path is one that Washington’s young players, and particularly late-round draft picks, should look to follow with training camp less than a month away. There may be veterans entrenched ahead of them, so they have to find a way to make the team, like Thompson did.

Mark Bullock is The Insider’s Outsider, sharing his Redskins impressions without the benefit of access to the team. For more, click here.