Thorpe is a strong run-support corner but really struggles in coverage. But that doesn't matter, because even if he doesn't play a single down on defense he'll be worth his roster spot and salary just for what he provides on ST's coverage. Besides having great speed getting downfield and a very wide, long-limbed tackling radius, he really understands the concepts around gathering yourself, breaking down in space, and corralling the return man without over-pursuing and taking yourself out of the play. Thorpe's 9 tackles on ST's last year is very misleading, as it doesn't account for all the times that his pursuit and positioning forced the return man to re-direct right into the arms of another tackler in the immediate area.