Cleveland Browns: 7-Round 2020 mock draft before the new season
By Cory Kinnan
6.162: Jeff Thomas, WR, Miami
One of the strongest spots on the Browns’ roster right now can be found at the wide receiver position, but some changes could be underway this offseason. Slot receivers are getting about $9 million on the open market right now, but the Browns paid Jarvis Landry nearly $15 million last year; his guaranteed money runs out after this season. Another highly unproductive year like he had in 2018, and the Browns could use that $15 million to address extensions elsewhere.
One of those extensions is fellow receiver Rashard Higgins, who is Baker Mayfield’s favorite target and was more productive on fewer targets than Landry a year ago. Higgins will look to get between $10-$12 million, so the Browns could potentially extend Higgins for less than they are currently paying a less productive Landry.
Either way, the Browns will struggle to pay three receivers over $10 million annually, so either Landy or Higgins are probably in their last year in Cleveland. With Damion Ratley and newly acquired Taywan Taylor behind OBJ, Landry and Higgins this year, the Browns add Miami receiver Jeff Thomas in the sixth round here.
In his first two years with the Hurricanes, the 6-0, 180-pound receiver has recorded 52 catches for 937 yards and five total touchdowns. In his first week of the college football season, Thomas managed two catches for 28 yards. With an average of 18 yards per reception, Thomas is a deep threat who could jump up draft boards this season.