Redskins' Devin Thomas Should Show Up for Voluntary Workouts

Twelve months ago, Devin Thomas was making his way up draft boards after an outstanding junior season at Michigan State and impressive combine and Pro Day performances. The previous fall, he had hauled in 79 passes for the Spartans, and then busted out a 4.40-40 in Indianapolis in February. By April, He would be the second wide receiver selected, going 34th overall to the Redskins.

In the weeks leading up to the draft, NFL Network's Mike Mayock admitted that Thomas had all the physical attributes teams look for in a wideout -- deep speed, the ability to get off the line of scrimmage and a knack for coming down with jump balls -- but he also cautioned that Thomas' junior season could be an anomaly.

After catching 33 passes as a freshman, he managed just six as a sophomore, and that raised red flags for some NFL teams. In addition to the questions about his on-field consistency, there were also off-field maturity issues. And concerns about the latter resurfaced last week when Thomas was a no-show for voluntary offseason workouts.

Via the Washington Post's Jason La Canfora:

Thomas was the kind of pick that, according to scouts, could either be a home run if he matured, or a strikeout. The fact that he did not show for the start of voluntary offseason work last week could cast another shadow over the kid and fuel the coaching staff's healthy skepticism. He needs to come to Redskins Park ready and eager to work all day, coming to grips with the fact that nothing he did in college matters now. He's a guy who, on pure merit and production alone last year, was not an NFL-caliber wide receiver and inspired no confidence from his teammates. He must focus on learning the playbook and route running as well as improving his work ethic and attitude.

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It's way too early to proclaim Thomas a bust; wide receivers typically take two or three seasons to successfully transition from college to the NFL, and part of that is learning how to be a professional. That's not to say Thomas shouldn't show up for work, just that there's a learning curve. (And, yes, I realize that "go to job" doesn't require any learning -- you just do it, no matter how dumb you might be -- but mastering the offense, running proper routes, etc., all take time.)

Of course, there's always the chance that when he eventually figures things out, it'll be too late -- Charles Rogers and Mike Williams can attest to as much.

More generally for the Redskins: for different reasons, both wideouts drafted in the second round last year are question marks for 2009. Malcolm Kelly, taken 17 players after Thomas, continues to battle knee injuries that plagued him during his college career.

On the upside, tight end Fred Davis (also taken in the second round, after Thomas and before Kelly) has managed to stay out of trouble and is relatively healthy. So there's that. Still, the lingering issues with the young wideouts makes me think Dan Snyder will seriously consider Michael Crabtree with the 13th overall pick. Assuming he doesn't trade up for him.*

UPDATE: Devin's in DC, and plans on working hard in Year 2. (And Ryan takes it all back.)

* This is a joke. There is no way the 'Skins take a wide receiver in the first round. None. In fact, I can't envision a scenario where Danny would even consider it. Okay, that's not true, but it's still not happening. I think.