4 Cleveland Browns rookies that stood out in win over Jaguars
By John Suchan
No. 3: Isaiah Thomas, DE
A lot has been discussed about Isaiah Thomas’ fellow Oklahoma Sooner Perrion Winfrey coming into this game and while Winfrey had a few nice plays, it was Thomas, the late-round pick for Cleveland, that stood out.
He was pushing into the backfield often and causing headaches for the Jags’ offense. He finished with three tackles and two sacks on the night — his one tackle that wasn’t a sack was a big loss in the run game as well.
It’s the first preseason game but he looked poised and like a player that we’ll see on Sundays.
Thomas wasn’t highly sought after in the draft and now it looks like the Browns found themselves a real solid player to work behind defensive edge rushers Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney.
Cleveland also selected Alex Wright earlier in the same draft and he figures to work behind the above-mentioned stars of the team. Wright had a few plays on the night but nothing that stood out.
Players get injured all the time in the NFL — starting center Nick Harris went out friday night on the second play of the game with what looked like a serious knee injury — so, you don’t know how close you are to starting and Thomas certainly carried himself well in this game.
If Thomas can duplicate the success he had in this game in the weeks to follow then the team will be in great shape with depth off the edges.