With the 239th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select Rodney Thomas II, DB, Yale University.
With the 239th pick, the Indianapolis #Colts select Rodney Thomas II!
Welcome to Indy, @Rodney_Thomas26!#NFLDraft #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/6f3kqaU40P
— The Blue Stable (@TheBlue_Stable) April 30, 2022
Meet Rodney Thomas II:
Background:
A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native, Rodney Thomas II played high school football at Central Catholic High School in the Western Pennsylvania area. During his time in high school, Thomas was captain of his track team and played basketball. He was a star for his football team, though, of course, where he played wide receiver and defensive back, earning all-state honors as a defensive back. He went on to play college football at Yale, where he began as a backup defensive back and eventually switched to linebacker, where he started nine games for Yale in 2019. Unfortunately, Yale did not have a college season in 2020, so Thomas ended up switching back to safety in 2021.
Rodney Thomas II was drafted with pick 239 of round 7 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.24 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 67 out of 863 SS from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/qImpJeCfDe #RAS #Colts pic.twitter.com/vVXwqh1i63
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 30, 2022
Play Style:
Given his multi-sport background, it is no surprise that Rodney Thomas II grades out as a great athlete at safety, but… he grades out as an even better athlete at cornerback, where I think his future lies in the NFL. He scores a 9.57 out of 10 on the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) as a cornerback. Last season, Rodney Thomas II recorded 11 pass breakups, two interceptions, and 50 total tackles at safety. On film, he displays a willingness to get after it in the run game and shows promising coverage skills. I can see why the Colts and many others project him as a Corner at the next level. His athleticism, production, and traits were worth a 7th-round pick. However, I think his best chance of sticking on this roster will be by making plays on special teams, and he may just end up as a practice squad player next season.
Fun Facts:
He enjoys fishing in his free time and is related to All-Pro fullback and tight end Keith Byars.
Twitter Opinions:
#Colts nab the 1st @IvyLeague player with Rodney Thomas II out of Yale, who has ridiculous upside. Gathered a ton of momentum late in the process pic.twitter.com/NZ53Dndpxr
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) April 30, 2022
Rodney Thomas II was a name I heard a few times these last few weeks. Talented DB with good size who can tackle. #Colts bolster their secondary.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 30, 2022
Colts area scout Mike Derice says seventh rd pick Rodney Thomas has potential at safety or cornerback. Has elite athletic traits. https://t.co/vUpMAOdYzn
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) May 1, 2022
I wanted to get back to this, because I'm fascinated by the approach. The Colts' Day 3 picks:
Eric Johnson II – 9.17
Andrew Ogletree – 9.36
Curtis Brooks – 9.51
Rodney Thomas II – 9.24
💪 https://t.co/bWAJu6ueas— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) May 1, 2022
