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Move Devin Thomas up your draft boards (1 Viewer)

dgreen

dgreen

Footballguy
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Devin Thomas Seems to Be Close to Z Role

I promised myself I would not write about Devin Thomas today because we've written a ton about him already and we aren't even a week into training camp.

But while speaking to people I trust in the organization last night, three separate sources praised Thomas for his improved approach. They told me he has been attentive in his position group meetings, works hard in drills and knows the playbook, three things that could not be said about him as a rookie last season.

Barring injury or regression, they said, expect Thomas to be the starting Z receiver, or flanker, opposite top wideout Santana Moss, the X receiver, or split end. They said it is clear that's the direction the coaching staff would prefer to go, which would enable the Skins to move last year's No. 2 receiver, Antwaan Randle El, to a full-time slot receiver role.

We've previously written that appeared to be the team's plan, so it's not my aim to present this as shocking news or a scoop of some sort. It's merely an update on a player whose performance is expected to be among the keys to the season. What did surprise me, however, was that informed guys all praised Thomas without me asking about him. I guess the kid really is serious about this season.
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Seriously, never seen a guy (besides Rashard Lee) go from 0-60 faster...not saying it is unwarranted, but unless you draft in the next couple of weeks, doubt he remains in the "sleeper" category.

 
The Redskins desperately need him to displace Randle El. Every year Randle El continues to warrant the WR2 slot, is a year the personnel department should hang their heads in shame.

 
Sweet Love said:
Seriously, never seen a guy (besides Rashard Lee) go from 0-60 faster...not saying it is unwarranted, but unless you draft in the next couple of weeks, doubt he remains in the "sleeper" category.
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And how is ReShard Lee doing in the NFL? Just saying.
 
Max Power said:
Jason Wood said:
The Redskins desperately need him to displace Randle El. Every year Randle El continues to warrant the WR2 slot, is a year the personnel department should hang their heads in shame.
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:no: Does it really matter with campbell at QB?
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Campbell hasn't been given a fair shake yet. He's had a new offense to learn every season he's started. That's a big deal. This is the make or break year for him. He sinks or swims depending on how he performs this season.
 
Sebowski said:
Couch Potato said:
I'm alone on an island here, but I think Kelly ends up having the better career. :nerd:
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I'm just hoping his knees don't go out before his first contract does. While his knees hold up he has a chance to be very good.
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Kelly lost a lot of weight this offseason and that's putting less weight on his knees. Not sure if it will significantly help him avoid future problems, but it's something the team asked him to do.
 
Take the cat-fight somewhere else please...

This is an interesting topic for dynasty owners: Kelly vs. Thomas.

I believe one of these will become a fantasy factor down the road and both can be had for a reasonable price. In a 12-teamer (18 per team) I was able to grab both off the waiver within the last month.

Thomas presents more upside IMO due to his YAC ability and speed. Kelly on the otherhand could be perfect for Zorn's system running slants and using his big body to shield defenders.

 
kevinallen said:
King of the Jungle said:
Take the cat-fight somewhere else please...
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Oh I agree, great subject. Love Devin this year as a WR3 in 12-team leagues. Just hate the ignorant posts that seem to fill up the SP on a regular basis these days.
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I think that is a bit optimistic for him. If he's your #3, you might be in trouble. They are a run heavy team and have yet to show that they can hit the long ball on a consistant basis. Add that you have Moss and Cooley as more primary targets, just doesn't bode well for a DT11 being your 3WR.
 
King of the Jungle said:
I think he is a year away from making an FF impact. A good buy low in dynasty (at least he was a couple weeks ago....)
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:blackdot: He's still a good buy low, even if his name is being thrown around a bit now. In a year, he might find himself being the #1 WR on the team and if he keeps progressing as much as he has shown so far...watch out! He's still cheaper now then what he will be once he shows signs during the season.
 
Bizkiteer said:
kevinallen said:
King of the Jungle said:
Take the cat-fight somewhere else please...
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Oh I agree, great subject. Love Devin this year as a WR3 in 12-team leagues. Just hate the ignorant posts that seem to fill up the SP on a regular basis these days.
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I think that is a bit optimistic for him. If he's your #3, you might be in trouble. They are a run heavy team and have yet to show that they can hit the long ball on a consistant basis. Add that you have Moss and Cooley as more primary targets, just doesn't bode well for a DT11 being your 3WR.
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Exactly. Your 3rd option at WR should not be the 4th option for the team he plays on, not to mention the "O" is based on a running attack. You are talking about the top 36 WR's, guys like Coles, Breston, Devry Henderson etc etc. I gotta believe Devin Thomas is ranked closer to 60 than 36.
 
until Campbell proves he can consistently throw a ball more than 10-15 yards, its hard to get TOO excited about ANY WR for the Redskins. And I am a fan, just being realistic.

 
Ripleys said:
until Campbell or the offensive play calling proves that they can consistently throw a ball more than 10-15 yards, its hard to get TOO excited about ANY WR for the Redskins. And I am a fan, just being realistic.
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:lmao: Fixed or adjusted...ever so slightly! :shrug:

 
I always believed Thomas would be better than Kelly. Seems like that has begun to come true. Glad I drafted Thomas in a dynasty back in May...

 
In the limited touches I've seen of both, Thomas looks the part.

Given the Redskins recent history, I have zero faith the Skins will put him to good use.

 
I like Devin alot too for dynasty purposes, but he wont be seeing my lineup unless he completely bows up.

He is a nice end of the bench dynasty stash guy with upside.

 
Well, the word from the team and the media has been that they really hope Thomas can take that WR2 spot away from ARE. But, from what I've seen so far, I wouldn't be surprised if Malcolm Kelly is the one who ends up there. He's receiving praise in training camp and has looked better in preseason so far.

 
dgreen said:
Well, the word from the team and the media has been that they really hope Thomas can take that WR2 spot away from ARE. But, from what I've seen so far, I wouldn't be surprised if Malcolm Kelly is the one who ends up there. He's receiving praise in training camp and has looked better in preseason so far.
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Kelly's a better player than Thomas, the question being can his knees hold up. So far, so good. If it holds true through preseason week 4 I think you'll see the two sharing reps to start the season and the more productive WR takes the majority from there. I'd rather gamble on Kelly because I think he has the higher ceiling, at best I think Thomas will be a low end WR2 and more likely WR3 during his career.
 
Malcolm Kelly has passed Devin Thomas in the competition to be the Redskins' starting flanker.

Thomas entered camp ahead, but Kelly's been more impressive this preseason. It's looking like Kelly will start Week 1, but we still don't like him to have a significant impact. He's coming off microfracture surgery, was already slow, is in a poor offense, and struggles to get off press coverage. Aug. 26 - 9:01 am et

 
Posted this in our infamous Redskins thread, but maybe some of you would like to see it here. A little more in-depth than the lil blurb. Just remember that Thomas was getting all the attention earlier in camp, so he's not out the picture completely.

Latest from Jason Reid/Redskins Insider:

Kelly, Thomas Still in Battle for Flanker Role

At the beginning of training camp, Coach Jim Zorn acknowledged Devin Thomas was ahead of Malcolm Kelly in the competition for the starting flanker spot. After two preseason games, however, Kelly appears to have leaped over Thomas.

The other day, Zorn said both second-year wideouts and veteran Antwaan Randle El still are competing for the job. But Randle El is better suited to the slot-receiver role, so the battle to be the No. 2 wide receiver is between Thomas and Kelly.

Kelly has had impressive moments in each of the first two preseason games while Thomas has just kind of been on the field. And then there's rookie wideout Marko Mitchell, who was the offensive star of camp (rookie strong-side linebacker/defensive end Brian Orakpo had that distinction on defense) and scored the Redskins' first touchdown of the preseason.

Thomas was the Redskins' first pick in the 2008 draft, and he has influential supporters in the organization. He will get every opportunity to start and contribute, but the Redskins are seeking much more production from their receivers than they had last season. If Mitchell makes the opening 53-man roster, and continues to dazzle in practice, it's conceivable he could jump ahead of other wideouts on the depth chart.

I know there are still two preseason games remaining and a lot could happen. But Kelly and Mitchell are displaying their play-making ability. With the regular season drawing closer, it could benefit Thomas to perform similarly. Quickly.
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This is interesting stuff. Really sounds like this thing will be decided in the final two preseason games and that it is still pretty wide open. One of the 2nd yr WRs needs to step up and the starting gig will be his.

 
Devin Thomas huh, so this guy gets his own thread?

no buy low here, some one gave up a first rd'er next year for him in a 12 team ppr i'm in!

oh and indeed he got made fun of.... by me!

 
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My understanding is that Kelly was always gonna produce quite a bit sooner than Thomas being that his skills were more refined coming out of school. However many were gushing about Thomas' great upside (greater than Kellys) that would take 2-3 years to develop. Can someone in the know on Marko please give a talent evaluation as compared to the other two that compares upside?

 
Bizkiteer said:
Posted this in our infamous Redskins thread, but maybe some of you would like to see it here. A little more in-depth than the lil blurb. Just remember that Thomas was getting all the attention earlier in camp, so he's not out the picture completely.

Latest from Jason Reid/Redskins Insider:

Kelly, Thomas Still in Battle for Flanker Role

At the beginning of training camp, Coach Jim Zorn acknowledged Devin Thomas was ahead of Malcolm Kelly in the competition for the starting flanker spot. After two preseason games, however, Kelly appears to have leaped over Thomas.

The other day, Zorn said both second-year wideouts and veteran Antwaan Randle El still are competing for the job. But Randle El is better suited to the slot-receiver role, so the battle to be the No. 2 wide receiver is between Thomas and Kelly.

Kelly has had impressive moments in each of the first two preseason games while Thomas has just kind of been on the field. And then there's rookie wideout Marko Mitchell, who was the offensive star of camp (rookie strong-side linebacker/defensive end Brian Orakpo had that distinction on defense) and scored the Redskins' first touchdown of the preseason.

Thomas was the Redskins' first pick in the 2008 draft, and he has influential supporters in the organization. He will get every opportunity to start and contribute, but the Redskins are seeking much more production from their receivers than they had last season. If Mitchell makes the opening 53-man roster, and continues to dazzle in practice, it's conceivable he could jump ahead of other wideouts on the depth chart.

I know there are still two preseason games remaining and a lot could happen. But Kelly and Mitchell are displaying their play-making ability. With the regular season drawing closer, it could benefit Thomas to perform similarly. Quickly.
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I don't believe I've ever seen a camp battle between unprovens that goes all the way to the end -- and then produces a fantasy worthy player. Save for Willie Parker back in 2005, and Fast Willie toasted Duce Staley because staley was old and hurt.I give up on the Redskins in 2009; think they might be getting a high pick in the draft barring a major turn around.

 
burgundy and gold said:
My understanding is that Kelly was always gonna produce quite a bit sooner than Thomas being that his skills were more refined coming out of school. However many were gushing about Thomas' great upside (greater than Kellys) that would take 2-3 years to develop. Can someone in the know on Marko please give a talent evaluation as compared to the other two that compares upside?
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I think the thinking was that Kelly had natural ability plus good football character plus football smarts but also had health issues while Thomas had natural ability and ... that's about it.That adds up not knowing if Thomas ever can develop into a decent NFL WR.
 
Malcolm Kelly passes Thomas in battle to start

Malcolm Kelly has passed Devin Thomas in the competition to be the Redskins' starting flanker.

Thomas entered camp ahead, but Kelly's been more impressive this preseason. It's looking like Kelly will start Week 1, but we still don't like him to have a significant impact. He's coming off microfracture surgery, was already slow, is in a poor offense, and struggles to get off press coverage. Aug. 26 - 9:01 am et

Rotoworld

 
Casting Couch said:
Malcolm Kelly passes Thomas in battle to start Malcolm Kelly has passed Devin Thomas in the competition to be the Redskins' starting flanker.Thomas entered camp ahead, but Kelly's been more impressive this preseason. It's looking like Kelly will start Week 1, but we still don't like him to have a significant impact. He's coming off microfracture surgery, was already slow, is in a poor offense, and struggles to get off press coverage. Aug. 26 - 9:01 am etRotoworld
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Kelly's not been named the starter, is not slow, and has not had problems with press coverage. Otherwise that's a great update from Rotoworld. Kelly was arguably a first round talent but for his injury problems. He's big, athletic, with good speed, good route running skills and great hands. He could be very good. Devin Thomas is a very athletic speedster who is very raw. He needs a lot of development time, and he has a higher risk of busting (especially if you ignore Kelly's injury risk). Marko Mitchell has really impressed people. He's more similar to Kelly than Thomas in that he's a large, athletic receiver. Like Kelly, he should be a red zone threat. The truth is that this is a very hard group to read. Any one of the three could come out on top, and any of them could be good fantasy producers or be total busts. Kelly seems like the "safest" guy to have right now, but that's not exactly set in stone.
 
I'd avoid the Redksins passing game altogether.

One thing is true about the Skins passing. It's consistent - 200 yds passing, 1 TDs, and 1 INTs. Not the numbers that make me draft a #2.5 WR from a team. Why take a flier on a Thomas when you can get the #3 Indy or NE WR and get more points.

Portis and the DEF are the only things worth considering here. On the fringes, I'd take Moss if he slips to a #3 WR slot or Cooley if you can get him in round 6 or later.

 
Here's and update and my own conclusions as to how the season will start as between Kelly and Thomas.

Thomas returned kicks throughout the first half of the Pats game and looked very explosive and decisive - no hesitation at all. He also protected the ball well. I think he's going to get kick return duties and Rock Cartwright will get cut in favor of one or both of the young RB's, Mason and Aldridge. I only mention this because KR's rarely seem to get a full load at their regular position.

Both Thomas and Kelly looked good in the Pats game as WR's. While both are "big" WR's, they're in different molds from each other that sort of compliment each other. Thomas is built like Boldin, while Kelly is longer and reminds me more of Herman Moore (I'm just speaking in terms of general style, obviously not in terms of career accomplishment). I think there's going to be a rotation and the WR2 is most accurately described as Kelly/Thomas.

The rotation makes sense because it allows Thomas to be a KR too, and it also limits Kelly's reps on those knees (which look 100% healthy right now). And of course it allows the team to mix and match based upon game situation and the players' talents.

This probably kills their respective fantasy values, capping as a practical matter their receptions in the 40-50 range, though it could obviously be less. The only exceptions to that conclusion would be if Kelly hauls in a good number of TD's (he got a lot of red zone looks in the Pats game) or, regarding Thomas, if your particular league heavily rewards you for a guy's performance as a KR over and above his WR stats.

Again, this is only my impression. Zorn's not said one way or the other. It's also subject to change during the season, and there might even be games where they like, for example, Kelly's or Thomas' matchup against a given CB and opt to use one of them more in a particular game. I think, however, that that's how they'll start the season.

 
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