With linebacker Thomas Davis announcing the pick, the Carolina Panthers added former Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson with the 25th overall pick.

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“I am officially reminded of the 2006 Draft, when three defensive players from an average NC State team — Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and John McCargo — were taken in the first round. I can guarantee you at least one of the three Washington Huskies taken will not pan out. My money is on Marcus Peters, but it could well be Thompson.” – Alex Hickey

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“The board was not kind to the Panthers. The last offensive tackle with a first-round grade went one spot ahead of them. All four of the draft’s top receivers were long gone. And the top pass rusher available (Randy Gregory) was a character risk the team could not afford to take after what happened with Greg Hardy. Instead, GM David Gettlemen settled on Thompson, the draft’s most versatile player and someone who adds speed and savvy to the Panthers’ linebacker corps. It’s ironic that his selection was announced by Thomas Davis, as Thompson is similar in many ways to a young Davis (a linebacker-safety hybrid). Thompson is also a special-teams demon and is sure to make in instant impact in Carolina, even if he isn’t the player the Panthers wanted most.”- Michael Lombardo

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“Shaq Thompson’s draft stock has bounced all over about as much as any player in this draft. Some analysts had him going as early as the first half of the first-round a couple of months back. More recently as teams began questioning which position Thompson would be best fit to play, many began to speculate he may fall as far as Round-3. Thompson gives a solid Panthers defense another explosive athlete, but you have to think Cam Newton wouldn’t have minded a speedy receiver like Breshad Perriman.”- Pat Donovan

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“Another one of my favorite players in the draft. I never quite understood why so many evaluators had Shaq Thompson falling into the second or third round. I guess there are still many who believe that if you do a number of things well it means you’re not great at anything. But that’s not always the case. The way Thompson pursues the ball tirelessly from sideline to sideline is uncanny. If you could have a player with running back instincts but who also excels as a defender at linebacker or safety, why wouldn’t you? Clearly the Panthers saw the value that I did in his versatility.” – Devon Jeffreys

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“It’s difficult to tell who’s right- draftniks or general managers?  We certainly know who earns more money.  Shaq Thompson is a big time athlete without a position.  Is Ron Rivera creative enough to put a talent like Thompson in a position to succeed.  That’s the multi-million dollar question.”- Charlie Bernstein