Cleveland Browns draft grade: Isaiah Thomas a steal in Round 7
The Cleveland Browns continued to surprise their fans in the NFL Draft with DE Isaiah Thomas as the third pick in the seventh round, 223rd overall.
The Cleveland Browns definitely needed to address the defensive line after massive offseason losses.
You win with defense, or so says the time-honored football adage, and the Browns lost former first overall pick defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (for now maybe), former first-round pick defensive Takk McKinley, former second-round pick defensive tackle Malik McDowell and starting defensive tackle Malik Jackson. That is a lethal blow to playoff chances unless it is addressed.
Thus far, the Browns have added three defensive linemen in third-round pick Alex Wright, a defensive end from the University of Alabama Birmingham; Oklahoma defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey in Round 4, and now his teammate, Isaiah Thomas.
Thomas racked up 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last season at Oklahoma. He was listed at 6-foot-5 and 266 pounds and clocked a 4.70. That will work in the NFL.
To answer one obvious question, Thomas is not related to the famous basketball player with a similar name, but it is not a coincidence that they have similar names. It involves a bet that his father made over a basketball game.
It also bears mention that our Thomas had some Baker Mayfield-type problems at Oklahoma, charged with misdemeanor DWI and allegedly blowing 0.07. This is not good, but you probably do take risks with people in Round 7.
This is not necessarily the kiss of death, but requires extra supervision. Hopefully, the Browns are prepared to assist the young man.
Next. Browns add another wideout, possibly shut door on Jarvis Landry. dark
Thomas will join another former collegiate teammate as the Browns also took Michael Woods in Round 6 — landing three Sooners during the final day of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Grade: B-