When the NFL holds the supplemental draft in July, the Detroit Lions could very well find someone of real interest in Washington State defensive back Jalen Thompson. The versatile safety/cornerback is a prospect who held legitimate top-50 overall aspirations for the 2020 NFL Draft before his path took him to the supplemental draft.

Thompson’s hand was forced by the NCAA. He lost his final year of eligibility for testing positive for a banned substance found in an over-the-counter supplement. His misfortune in the Russian roulette world of supplements could be the Lions’ gain.

Thompson is a playmaking safety who also doubles as a physical slot cornerback in the Cougars defense.

Jalen Thompson was all over the field for Washington State and will return to bolster the Cougars defense. pic.twitter.com/FMAhBcrLIU — PFF College (@PFF_College) May 28, 2019

I prefer Thompson playing in the slot, where he’s less inclined to misread a play and where his initial quickness is a bigger asset in coverage. He graded out quite well in slot coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, and the game film I’ve seen (Washington, USC, Utah, Oregon, Colorado) validates it with the eye test.

Jalen Thompson had the lowest passer rating into his coverage from the slot last season, among Pac-12 DBs pic.twitter.com/aZWZ1CCebI — PFF College (@PFF_College) July 17, 2018

Taking Thompson in the supplemental draft would mean the Lions give up the corresponding round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. As an example, last year the New York Giants picked Western Michigan CB Sam Beal in the third round of the supplemental draft. Because of that, they lost gave up their pick in the third round in April’s draft.

Based strictly on what the 6-foot, 190-pound (listed by Washington State, he might be a bit under that weight) Thompson has done on the field —including six career INTs — he’s worthy of strong consideration in the third or fourth round of the supplemental draft. Other than the banned substance, his character and record are clean.