Jalen Thompson is overshadowed by Cardinals Pro Bowl safety

Safety Budda Baker is a Pro Bowl performer, but counterpart Jalen Thompson may be just as vital to the Arizona Cardinals defense.

Whenever the safety position for the Arizona Cardinals is brought up in a discussion, the conversation naturally centers around Budda Baker. That’s completely understandable, given the fact that the 26-year-old is already a four-time Pro Bowler.

Living in the spacious shadow of Baker is Jalen Thompson, Arizona’s “other” starting safety who stepped up in a big way this past fall. The 23-year-old Thompson was a supplemental draft pick of the Cards back in 2019, and the fifth-round choice that the front office gave up to acquire the defensive back is suddenly looking like a tremendous bargain.

In his 17 appearances (12 starts) for the Redbirds this season, Thompson led the team with an impressive 121 tackles. The former Washington State University product was solid in pass coverage as well, tallying three interceptions and seven pass breakups for the Cardinals secondary.

Jalen Thompson emerged for the Arizona Cardinals after a slow start in the NFL

As a rookie back in 2019, Thompson was thrown directly into the fire by the Arizona coaching staff. The 5-foot-11,190-pounder played in 15 games that year, starting in nine of those matchups. Thompson’s stat line for his first professional campaign included 57 tackles, a pick, and three pass breakups for the Cards.

An unfortunate injury cost Thompson 11 contests in 2020. The California native exited the season-opener with a bum ankle and wasn’t quite himself in the few games that he did dress for later in the year. Thompson ended up contributing 19 tackles and one pass breakup in his five appearances (four starts) for the club.

Thompson has flashed playmaking ability at times for the Cardinals as well. During last week’s 38-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the versatile safety’s third-quarter interception of quarterback Russell Wilson led to a go-ahead touchdown. Thompson snatched the errant pass out of the air and returned it 33 yards to the Seattle one-yard line.

Arizona should be set at the safety position for years with their two young starters. Perhaps Thompson will eventually emerge from the enormous shadow that the ultra-talented Baker has cast over his up-and-coming protégé.