The Cardinals have selected Washington State defensive back Jalen Thompson in the fifth round of the NFL’s Supplemental Draft, according to multiple reports. By doing so, the Cardinals will give up their fifth round pick in the 2020 draft. 
Thompson was one of five entrants in this year’s second-chance draft and was universally regarded as the best prospect of the bunch. The Packers and Texans also showed interest in the youngster, but the Cardinals won out. It’s not yet known if the Packers or Texans placed bids on Thompson, but we do know that their draft priority (Nos. 10 and 26, respectively) was behind the Cardinals’ (No. 4).
Thompson attained freshman All-America status in 2016, was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection as a sophomore, and wrapped up his Cougars career with six INTs. In 2018, he picked off two passes, made 66 tackles and forced a fumble.
Thompson lost his final year of NCAA eligibility when he reportedly purchased an over-the-counter supplement at a local nutrition store. A source told Theo Lawson of The Spokesman-Review that the supplement in question was not a steroid, but it was enough to bring the defensive back’s collegiate career to an end. If not for that, Thompson might have been a fourth or fifth-round talent in the 2020 class.
Some in the Cardinals organization believe that Jalen Thompson is a better safety prospect than Deionte Thompson, the club’s fifth-round pick in April. If J. Thompson can impress this summer, there could be big things in store for him in Arizona.