The Washington Redskins worked the phone lines in recent weeks trying to find a team that would take Devin Thomas in a trade.
When that effort came up empty, the team decided to dump the second-round draft pick from 2008, continuing to reshape Redskins Park with the use of an extra-wide push broom.
Thomas, the 34th pick in 2008, didn’t have one reception this season and was buried on Mike Shanahan’s depth chart. He was returning kickoffs but the team viewed running back Keiland Williams, who takes his place on the 53-man roster, as more valuable.
It’s the latest example of the wretched drafts that have hamstrung the organization. The Redskins’ other second-round picks from that draft – wide receiver Malcolm Kelly and tight end Fred Davis – have made marginal contributions at best. Kelly is on injured reserve. Thomas was the second wide receiver selected in the entire draft, one slot behind St. Louis’ Donnie Avery.
"You know, it is what it is," Thomas told Jason Reid of the Washington Post. "Obviously, this staff didn't want to utilize me. For whatever reason, and I still don't know what it is, they just didn't look at me as the type of receiver they wanted here. I mean, it was obvious that they didn't feel I could help them and they didn't want me.
"I was prepared for this for a long time. When I wasn't playing and no matter how hard I worked, you know, you could see it didn't matter, I just said my prayers and started to prepare myself mentally. So I can't really say it was a surprise, because you could see something was coming with me never playing."
Sources told the National Football Post Thomas was rarely in good shape and that often led to minor injuries. He had suspect work ethic and marginal hands. Surely, someone will take a look at him. He’d be a no-risk investment but Thomas needs to become motivated to turn around his career.
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