Devin Thomas, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Wide Receiver 6' 1" 216 lbs. Junior Michigan State Speed: 4.34 Scouting Report by: Daryl Breault

Bursting onto the scene as a junior, Devin Thomas led the Big Ten in receiving yards/game (102.2) and all-purpose yards per game (197.5) while his 4.40/40 has led me to finally declare something I’ve been suspecting for many months now: Devin Thomas is a 1^st round pick. 

He is comparable to Malcolm Kelly in that both are big receivers with natural skills and enough of a burst to gain separation.  Where they differ is that Thomas has much better top end speed than expected while Kelly does not have the breakaway speed to be a deep threat.  Kelly has lead receiver potential, but might be better suited to lining up among a couple speedy receivers.  Thomas on the other hand, has the potential to be a game changer like Owens. 

Despite his inexperience he displays sound route running and has the size you are looking for.  Some have him pegged as a West Coast receiver, but he is more than that.  He can get deep while having the agility and athleticism to run reverses, catch screens and be an above average kick returner.  He set a school single season record with 2,590 all-purpose yards, including a school record 79 catches for 1,260 yards and 8 TD, and had 54 plays of 20-yards or more.   Despite being a larger receiver, he is just as much of a threat to go the distance as Steve Smith, Santana Moss or Lee Evans.  Thomas is a fluid receiver that can dominate a single cornerback and as MSU’s lone big weapon required frequent attention from safeties.

Thomas attended Coffeyville (Kan.) C.C. and was a Rivals.com Top 20 JUCO prospect entering 2006.  The Spartans had high hopes for him but received 6 catches for 90 yards.  Teams will have lots of questions about what exactly happened to his 2006 season.  Junior receivers are a tough cookie to crack and can be hit and miss for a variety of reasons.  Most though have at least two if not three years of college production to go on while Thomas only has 1. 

He is taking advantage of his record setting season, but has obviously made the right decision, he has steadily climbed from 3^rd round to 1^st round consideration over the last 6 months.  After his great combine performance I don’t think I will be the only one touting him a potential 1^st round pick for very long.  He dances too often, instead of heading up field, and has dropped a few balls he should have caught and some that great receivers make but all young receivers go through those things.  As he learns to harness his abilities and gets a professional mindset he will make those catches.

If I had a draft board or a rankings section, Thomas would be battling Mario Manningham for the top spot followed by Kelly then DeSean Jackson.  I have seen him many times this year and have come away wowed by him every time.  His 40-time (4.34) really sealed it for me.  I generally try to not put much stock in amazing performances during the post season and the NFL Scouting Combine, looking more for measurements and ability to perform under stress, but I am very pleased with this development.  Many NFL Draft Web sites had his forty speed listed as 4.5, but he’s always seemed much faster on tape.  In addition he turned in a great performance during the skills portions.

Jumping Thomas ahead of bigger names like Kelly, DeSean Jackson, Limas Sweed, Early Doucet or even James Hardy will be tough sell to a fair amount of people but when you compare them, Thomas appears to have the fewest flaws to his game and, not coincidentally, the most potential.  I will go out on a limb and say that Thomas is the Eagles pick at #19 though I’m desperately praying that my Buccaneers go after him.  You heard all of that hear first.

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