Jalen Thompson taken by Arizona Cardinals in NFL supplemental draft

Two weeks after announcing he’d be foregoing his senior season because of an NCAA rules violation, Jalen Thompson’s NFL career can now officially start: The Arizona Cardinals selected him in the fifth round of its supplemental draft.

That means the Cardinals will surrender a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to obtain the rights to Thompson’s services now.

The NFC West team is in the throes of a full rebuild, having bottomed out last season. The resulting house cleaning led to the hiring of Kliff Kingsbury as the team’s new head coach and the drafting of Kyler Murray with the first overall pick. The safety room has gotten a makeover, too; only former Washington Husky Budda Baker returns among those who saw lots of playing time, while the team has added veteran DJ Swearinger and fellow fifth-round pick Deionte Thompson.

During a hastily scheduled pro day about 48 hours ago, Jalen Thompson showed he has good speed, clocking a 40-yard dash time of 4.47 — not bad for a guy who wasn’t training for months for his pro day like other prospects. He also checked in a little on the small side for a safety, standing 5-foot-10 3/8 and 186 pounds, which has led some to believe that he could be destined for a nickel corner role.

Thompson is ready for the next step in his career.

Congratulations to Jalen.