Report: Cleveland Browns interested in WR Michael Thomas
The Cleveland Browns reportedly have former Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas as the top wide receiver on their draft board.
The Cleveland Browns reportedly have Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver in the upcoming draft class, according to Brent Sobleski at Bleacher Report.
"...told by sources with Browns & Bengals that the former Buckeye ranks as the top receiver on both of their draft boards."
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) March 25, 2016
Last tweet was in reference to Michael Thomas. Sorry about not including his name.
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) March 25, 2016
At 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Thomas’ combination of super-glue hands and natural route-running abilities offers an intriguing prospect for the Browns. During his final two years in Columbus, Thomas pulled in 110 receptions for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns despite not being the focus of an offense that included running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Related: Cleveland Browns draft profile: Michael Thomas
While the 2016 NFL Draft class has some franchise-type wide receivers at the top of the big board, it is not necessarily a deep draft class. The Browns, who are still waiting on the NFL’s decision regarding wide receiver Josh Gordon’s reinstatement, are without a doubt one of the teams in this year’s draft that may be looking to upgrade the wide receiver position.
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Thomas has been slotted as a second-round pick by many draft experts, but after a good outing at the NFL Scouting Combine and Ohio State’s Pro Day, it looks like Thomas has found his name atop of the draft boards.
Aside from Mississippi’s Laquon Treadwell, who is widely considered to be the only “elite” wide receiver of the draft class, the rest of the receivers are not expected to be instant starters that can contribute come week one of the 2016 NFL season.
With the Browns signing quarterback Robert Griffin III this week, the club may be willing to roll the dice on a wide receiver in the second round (No. 32 overall) or in the third round (No. 65 overall) to give Griffin a young threat at wide receiver to work with.
Thomas would indeed present quite the threat, even more so if Gordon is reinstated for the 2016 NFL season. Head coach Hue Jackson and company clearly have a plan, and that may start with putting Thomas on the opposite side of the field of Gordon come this fall.