Michigan Football: Predicting where Ambry Thomas gets drafted

Ambry Thomas didn’t play for Michigan football last season but the former Wolverine is still expected to go in the 2021 NFL draft. 

In a draft that’s pretty deep with talented defensive backs, one of the most interesting to go off the board in the middle of the draft might be Michigan football‘s Ambry Thomas.

From a physical standpoint, Thomas offers a lot of things that you want in a modern-day corner. He’s 6-foot, he can run sub 4.4 and he’s well-versed in playing man coverage, plus he proved to be a very good special teams contributor during his time with the Wolverines.

Yet, Thomas opted out of the 2020 season, which really did have to do with medical issues, but it has still hurt his draft stock as it has with others.

Here’s what Thomas had to say about it to 247 sports;

"“I’m ready to show everybody what I can do. I feel like I’ve got a chip on my shoulder. Because I feel disrespected through this whole process. I know what I bring to the table. I missed a whole offseason at Michigan and I still played how I played last year. I was on one week of practice when I got back. I know what I can do — I’ll put it like that.”"

In two seasons, 2018 and 2019, Thomas played a lot for Michigan football. In 2018, he was the No. 3 corner and notched an interception, as well as a kickoff return for a touchdown.

As a full-time starter in 2019, Thomas wrapped up 38 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three passes intercepted.

Before missing last season, Thomas seemed to be in contention to be a first-round pick. At the worst, he felt like a day two selection. Man cover corners who can run don’t grow on trees and at the combine, Thomas ran the 40 in 4.37.

There’s an old saying that you can’t coach speed and Thomas has it. That and his man-cover skills are his best attributes.

Teams are always concerned about availability, but the fact that Thomas missed the 2020 season shouldn’t hurt him. It certainly isn’t going to impact his NFL career and while I don’t think he’ll go until the fourth round, some team is going to get a really good DB at a value.