In the latest episode of Building the Browns, VP of Player Personnel Alonzo Highsmith offers a glimpse into what he expects from the team’s 2018 draft class. And the former Miami Hurricane standout is still a believer in fellow Cane Chad Thomas, even after an invisible rookie season.
Highsmith is speaking about last year’s class in review during the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, and he brings up the “building blocks” of Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and Denzel Ward. Then Highsmith moves to the rest of the class and the future promise it holds.
“There’s some other young kids and they’re going to have a big season. I think in 2019 (LB Genard) Avery, Chad Thomas, you know, those kids are going to have an opportunity to play,” Highsmith states.
Thomas did little playing in his rookie season. Despite being a third-round pick and the Browns dire need for help at his position, the defensive end was on the field for just 22 snaps all year. He was a healthy scratch for more than half the season.
If Highsmith is right, Thomas would provide needed depth behind Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon at DE. Solid veteran Anthony Zettel is the current No. 3 and the depth chart is wide open for competition beyond him. It would be nice if the Browns got some return on draft investment with Thomas in his second season.
