Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Mar 22, 2020 11:00 am

2020 NFL Draft Profile: Jeff Thomas, WR, Miami

Jeff Thomas

Wide receiver, Miami Hurricanes
5-9, 170
40 time: 4.45

OVERVIEW

Jeff Thomas
Nov 2, 2019; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Jeff Thomas (4) catches a touchdown pass against the Florida State Seminoles in the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

A former four-star recruit from East St. Louis, Ill., Thomas went on to total 83 career catches for 1,316 yards and eight touchdowns across three seasons for the Hurricanes. He also added 54 kick returns for 1,219 yards and 14 punt returns for 265 yards (18.9 average) and a score.

As expected, the undersized Thomas ran well at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a 40-yard dash of 4.45 seconds.



ANALYSIS

Thomas is among the most explosive athletes in the draft. Don’t let his listed size fool you — he possesses a compact, rocked-up frame with the body armor to be more than a spindly vertical threat. Lightning off the snap, Thomas is a difficult matchup for corners who want to try to press him, showing beautiful coordination between his hands and feet to quickly slip by jams. Easy acceleration to top speed, providing an immediate field-stretching presence. Dynamic after the catch, as well on jet sweeps and returns.

Thomas does too much freelancing as a route-runner and has too many concentration drops when trying to make a move before securing the ball. Plays bigger than his size suggests but offers a relatively puny catch radius. Requires a thorough vetting of his character. Had multiple clashes with former Miami head coach Mark Richt and his staff, and then was suspended two games in 2019 for another “undisclosed violation of team rules.” Tools didn’t translate to great production, though poor quarterback play was a factor.

PRO COMPARISON

Antonio Callaway, Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) — Thomas is one of the boom-or-bust picks of the draft, not unlike Callaway, the No. 105 pick in 2018. An extraordinary athlete, Thomas managed just eight touchdown receptions in three seasons. His own inconsistencies, of course, were partly to blame for this, but the raw talent is undeniable.



Projection: Second-third round

Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)

You may also like

Apr 27, 2022 8:57 am

Giants go for 2-game sweep of crosstown rival A’s

The San Francisco Giants will look to further close the gap in their all-time rivalry with the visiting Oakland Athletics when they seek a second straight win Wednesday night in…

Apr 27, 2022 8:42 am

Guardians, slumping Franmil Reyes take on Shohei Ohtani’s Angels

The Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Angels will play the third game of their four-game series Wednesday night in Anaheim, Calif., as the Guardians try to rediscover their offense. Cleveland’s…

Apr 27, 2022 8:35 am

Playoff-bound Kings seek to keep Kraken reeling

The Los Angeles Kings are playoff-bound for the first time since the 2017-18 season. The Kings (43-27-10, 96 points) punched their postseason ticket Tuesday night when Dallas defeated Vegas in…

More Archive News

Apr 27, 2022 8:57 am

Giants go for 2-game sweep of crosstown rival A’s

The San Francisco Giants will look to further close the gap in their all-time rivalry with the visiting Oakland Athletics when they seek a second straight win Wednesday night in…

Apr 27, 2022 8:42 am

Guardians, slumping Franmil Reyes take on Shohei Ohtani’s Angels

Apr 27, 2022 8:35 am

Playoff-bound Kings seek to keep Kraken reeling

Apr 27, 2022 8:17 am

Six-man rotation kicks in as Astros, Cristian Javier face Rangers

Apr 27, 2022 8:08 am

Jason Robertson, Stars can lock up playoff berth vs. Coyotes

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds