DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk 2024 NFL Draft 5th round pick 156 Jamari Thrash WR Louisville

Don’t know him

Overview
Thrash makes up with speed what he gives away with play strength. He has an extensive history of stretching the field, showing an ability to find a second gear on deep routes or on short catches that turn into chunk plays. He’ll have some issues against NFL press, but formational consideration could help in that regard. Thrash has the physical ability to run a more complete route tree as a pro, but a lack of hand strength and frame size create too many drops and losses on contested catches. Thrash has the potential to work inside or outside but has excessive feast-or-famine qualities.
Strengths
Footwork in early stages of release is smooth and sudden.
Able to rip off route cuts at tight angles.
Possesses second gear for mid-route separation.
Above-average ball tracking and pace adjustment to bring in deep balls.
Does a nice job of uncovering during quarterback’s scramble mode.
Weaknesses
Catch space gets snatched up due to a lack of play strength.
Loses focus when dealing with contact inside the route.
Allows throws to get on top of him and turn into drops.
Lacks hand strength to finish catches through contact.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jamari-thrash/32005448-5204-8621-fa03-7d39e65c246b

A poor man's Anthony Schwartz?

Better route runner, but yes this is the Schwartz slot replacement.

Good route runner. Can play slot. Takes the top off with speed. Very elusive in open field.
Not physical. Has struggled with drops, trying to make guys miss before he completes the catch.
Was a good value pick at this point in the draft.

I'll add, I don't hate this pick - and WR depth was a need.

But the opportunity cost of losing out on Mohamed Kamara, who goes 2 picks later to Miami, hurts a bit.

I hope he isn't a poor mans Schwartz. Schwartz was worth a nickel.

Could be Elijah Moore' replacement when they do not re-sign him after this season if Thrash can develop.

From Dane Brugler:

STRENGTHS: Adequate height/length combination … quick to collect his feet for separation steps out of his breaks … compensates for average burst with crisp cuts as
a route runner … catches the ball well in stride with supple adjustment skills to reach back across hi s body when necessary … made catches at all three levels,
including two plays of 70-plus yards in 2023 … controlled athlete in space to give defenders the slip or weave in and out of traffic … finished fourth among ACC
receivers with 17 forced missed tackles in 2023 … gutted through a broken hand over the final month of the 2023 season and earned consistent praise from the
Louisville coaches (head coach Jeff Brohm: “He’s come in, has been unselfish and hasn’t missed one rep of practice.”) … led his team in receiving each of the last three
seasons (two at Georgia State, one at Louisville).

WEAKNESSES: Wiry frame with lean limbs and below-average play strength … inconsistent versus the jam and can be knocked off his route path … has a tough time
making plays in traffic or finishing catches through contact … put more concentration drops on tape than expected (see 2023 Pittsburgh tape) … average speed by NFL
standards and won’t run by NFL cornerbacks on vertical patterns … willing positional blocker but very inconsistent sustain … suffered a broken hand (October 2023)
and required next-day surgery (including screws and a plate), but he missed only one game and played with a brace over the final month of his senior season … wasn’t
used as a returner in college and didn’t play on special -teams coverages.

SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Louisville, Thrash was used primarily as an outside receiver in head coach Jeff Brohm’s spread scheme. After leading the Sun Belt in
receiving in 2022 at Georgia State, he transferred to Louisville in 2023 and quickly announced himse lf as the Cardinals’ No. 1 pass catcher (led the team in receiving in
seven of the first eight games, before a broken hand hindered him over the final month). Quicker than fast, Thrash is an agil e route runner with natural ball-tracking
skills. However, he struggles to finish catches through contact, and his lack of play strength will be more pronounced at the next level. Overall, Thrash doesn’t have a
true distinguishing trait as a receiver, but his separation quickness and receiving savvy will be lifelines to an NFL career. His inexperience on special teams will
need to change quickly once in an NFL camp.

"suffered a broken hand (October 2023)
and required next-day surgery (including screws and a plate), but he missed only one game and played with a brace over the final month of his senior season ."

" Thrash was one of the most reliable deep-threat receivers in Louisville‘s offense this past season, leading the team with 14 explosive receptions of 15 yards or more. He was able to continue showcasing that deep-threat ability with elite tracking, reliable hands and separation at the Senior Bowl."

His production 2022 was 1122 yds
His production 2023 was 858 yds.

The numbers fell because he played with screws and a plate in his wrist.

He probably would have been drafted in the second or third round if not for that injury.

Thrash had a challenging one season at Louisville, set back by injuries and dropped passes, but he helped his cause with a solid week at the Senior Bowl, uncovering naturally with his short-area quickness. He's a likely slot receiver.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-draft-pick-by-pick-analysis-for-day-3-rounds-4-5

Bummed that Jeremiah Trotter jr Lb Celmson went 1 pick before.

With this pick I would have gone Mohamed Kamara Edge rusher Colorado State or Edefuan Olofoshio Lb Washington

well, praise from Steve Smith.

We'll see .. he fell to this point for a reason (drops and lack of strength it appears)

I was also hoping for Kamara.

17 drops in his college career. Going to need to clean that up.

He did play with a plate and screws in his hand/wrist. Not sure how that affected him.

No, he mostly was used outside and his drops might have had something to do with playing with a broken hand this past seaon.

I would have considered him in the 3rd round.