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Seattle Seahawks training camp: 3 Players with most to prove

By Samuel Teets

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back C.J. Prosise #22 of the Seattle Seahawks escapes linebacker NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back C.J. Prosise #22 of the Seattle Seahawks escapes linebacker NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 10: Tedric Thompson #33 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a turnover on downs after a stop on fourth down in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at CenturyLink Field on December 10, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 10: Tedric Thompson #33 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a turnover on downs after a stop on fourth down in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at CenturyLink Field on December 10, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Tedric Thompson, S

Head coach Pete Carroll has come out and given defensive backs Tre Flowers and Shaquill Griffin good reviews since the end of the 2018 season. Tedric Thompson hasn’t gotten the same kind of praise, though.

The former fourth-round pick struggled with consistency last season. Granted, 2018 was just Thompson’s second season in the league, but he didn’t play up to the level of the rest of the secondary.

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I’m not sure if Carroll and the Seahawks ever planned for Thompson to replace Earl Thomas at free safety, but that’s what happened last season. Throwing a fourth-round pick into the fire like that in just his second season is harsh, but Thompson needs to show that he learned from the experience. If he doesn’t show growth, he could end up losing his starting position this season.

The Seahawks drafted safety Marquise Blair in the second round this year. Then, in the fourth round, the team took versatile defensive back Ugochukwu Amadi. Amadi played a lot of cornerback in college, but he also spent the majority of his senior season at safety. While Amadi will likely be used on special teams and as a Swiss army knife in the secondary, Thompson will have to defend his starting job against Blair.

Thompson’s fellow starting safety, Bradley McDougald, is probably safe from any competition. McDougald is coming off arguably his best season as a pro and he is a crucial leader in the young secondary. At this point, removing him from the lineup could be detrimental. Thompson, on the other hand, only became a starter last season and is more replaceable.

A lot regarding Thompson’s future in the NFL and with the Seahawks will be decided in the coming weeks.

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