GOOD

LB Shaq Thompson

The Panthers are excited about their 2015 first-round pick, and he showed why Friday night against the Patriots.

On this first play, Thompson’s between DTs Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei when the ball’s snapped. Thompson then sheds the block of 6-foot-5, 295-pound G Joe Thuney before stopping RB James White short of a first down:

Next, Thompson shows off his instincts to get to the ball quickly from the slot. Not only that, but after he meets RB LaGarrette Blount at the line of scrimmage, Thompson rips the ball out:

Here’s another look at Thompson in the slot, where he’ll play plenty of nickel this season. Matched up against the highly skilled Julian Edelman, Thompson drops into zone coverage. Once he realizes Edelman’s running free on the drag route, Thompson pattern matches and forces an incompletion: