Jamari

Thrash

Conklin was listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity all week. His surgically repaired knee evidently needs more time though. Backup T James Hudson III will start in his stead. Wills Jr. (knee) and Njoku were ruled out earlier in the week. Thompson-Robinson serves as the emergency QB.

This was the best outing of the preseason for Thrash, who entered the day with six catches for 68 yards. The rookie fifth-rounder is battling for a roster spot and likely secured one with Saturday night’s performance. Thrash led all Browns receivers on the night and hauled in a beautifully thrown ball from Dorian Thompson-Robinson for a 46-yard score early in the second quarter. If the Browns’ receivers stay healthy through most of the season, Thrash’s primary contributions will likely come on special teams. However, he could be an injury away from seeing more work, depending on how the 53-man roster shapes out. If nothing else, he makes for an interesting stash on dynasty rosters.

Thrash (6’0/188) transferred to Louisville for 2023 after breaking out for 62-1123-7 in 2022 while at Georgia State. An uptick in competition didn’t do much to slow Thrash down, as he went for 62-848-6 in his final season. In his final two seasons, Thrash averaged a solid 6.8 YAC per catch while forcing a missed tackle on 26.6 percent of his receptions. He’s a bit undersized for an outside receiver but turned in a solid 4.46 40 time at the combine. His struggles with contested targets will need to improve, as he’ll likely face tighter coverage in the pros, but Thrash has playmaking abilities that could lead to teams finding ways to scheme him touches. He has an outside shot at finding his way into three-wideout sets in Cleveland.

McCoy (5'11/185) was responsible for one of the Panthers’ four touchdown receptions on the day, with his eight-yard score giving Georgia State a 27-7 lead just before halftime. The junior wide receiver ends the 2020 season with touchdowns in two straight games, and a receiving stat line of 31-447-4. With McCoy being a junior, Sam Pinckney and Cadarrius Thompson (1-25-1 vs. WKU) being sophomores and Jamari Thrash (2-24-1) just a freshman, Georgia State’s receiving corps won’t lack for talent in 2021.