The Cleveland Browns walked out of the 2024 NFL Draft with just six draft picks. In fact, they didn't even make their first selection until the No. 54 pick in the second round due to still paying the effects of trading for Deshaun Watson. That left Cleveland with a lot of later-round picks.
Not only did the Browns not have a first-round pick, they didn't have a fourth-round pick either. They made one pick in the second, third, fifth, and sixth rounds and two in the seventh round. So, Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry, along with head coach Kevin Stefanski, have to be hoping that all or most of these draft picks hit.
Usually, from around the fourth or fifth round on is where some of the rookie sleeper picks come from that surprise everybody with their play and impact. Probably the most notable name from last year's draft was fifth-round quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
After Watson went down with injuries, Robinson found himself with eight games worth of playing time that included three starts. His play left much to be desired, however, as he was eventually replaced by veteran Joe Flacco, who is now with the Indianapolis Colts. Robinson went 1-2, threw for 440 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions.
The Browns are hoping for a little more from a later-rounder this season. But it won't be a quarterback. For one, it's because they didn't draft one. And two, it will be someone that Watson could find himself throwing to: wide receiver Jamari Thrash, a fifth-round draft pick out of Louisville.
Fifth-round draft pick Jamari Thrash is Browns rookie sleeper of 2024
Jamari Thrash started his collegiate career playing for Georgia State. By his redshirt junior season, he was a 1,000-plus yard receiver and one of the best receivers in the Sun Belt conference, earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors. That year he was top 10 in most receiving categories in the conference, including first in reception yards by over 100 yards (1,122), sixth in receptions (61), and third in yards per reception (18.4).
His standout performance in 2022 lured him into the transfer portal, where he eventually found his way to Louisville under first-year head coach Jeff Brohm. His final collegiate season playing for the Cardinals was solid, recording 63 receptions, 858 yards, and six touchdowns. He was fourth in the ACC in receiving yards and receptions, 11th in touchdowns, and 15th in yards per reception with 13.6.
What makes Thrash a big possibility to make an impact as the rookie sleeper for the Browns in 2024 is the wide receiver situation in Cleveland.
Thrash was the only offensive skill player taken by the Browns in this year's draft. That was likely due to their lack of draft capital, as this was a position that needed some attention. While the Browns did address this matter in free agency by making a trade with the Denver Broncos for Jerry Jeudy, a former first-round pick, he has lacked consistency thus far in the NFL. There's also Amari Cooper, who was 10th in receiving yards last season in all the NFL. But the soon-to-be 30-year-old is entering his last year of his deal in Cleveland.
There's no reason that with his skill set Thrash won't be able to come in and contribute to the Browns in 2024. Sure, he's a bit on the smaller side — 5-foot-11, 188 pounds — but Browns director of player personnel Dan Saganey believes he could find himself contributing because of his versatility, according to David Farrar at USA Today.
“Jamari, for us, we view him as a guy that can play inside and outside,” Saganey said. “He’s had production inside and out throughout his college career, and he’s a good playmaker with the ball in his hands. So, add him to the room and let him compete.”
In 2023, Thrash had 340 snaps out wide and 41 in the slot, per Pro Football Focus.
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