What a horrible year for the Cleveland Browns in 2025 in respect to their receiver room. Ranked what? #32? Out of 32 teams? Goodness.
Even their lead receiver, Jerry Jeudy, had an off year with half the production he had the year before when he was named to his first Pro Bowl. A subsequent terrific season never happened.
RELATED: WR DEION BURKS PROFILE
Browns GM Andrew Berry has drafted plenty of receivers and none of them has panned out. Only two remain on the current roster, and one, Jamari Thrash,
was released last year and then re-signed. Help is needed, and it should come in this year’s draft.
Thompson’s speed listed was the official time posted at the Combine. He can maintain that speed through the route without drifting off his line. Had 1,054 yards last year with an 18.5 yards per catch average with six touchdowns. Will run every route in the route tree and is very shifty. Quick feet and active hands.
His superpower is his ability to decelerate during a route, which gives him the ability to double-move or shift back into another gear instantly. His deep ball threat is real, and his ball tracking looks natural. Does not offer much in terms of yards-after-contact, but defenders must catch him first. His route running does need a bit more polish beyond vertical concepts. Does not offer much as a return man, as he has only returned one kick in his four years in college.
WR Brenen Thompson
Draft projection: Round 4
Browns pick: #107
Specifics:
Career average yards per catch: 18.5
Accolades: Second Team All-SEC
Positives:
- Elite speed
- Can hold top speed through the catch point
- Deep ball tracking
- Real deceleration on double moves
- Catches without drifting off his line
- Tough to corral once he catches it
Negatives:
- Small frame
- Unreliable hands outside his frame
- Goes down on the first hit
- Physicality concerns
- Coasts into breaks
Expert Draft Site Analysis
Thompson is a slightly built, vertical threat with rocket boosters in his shoes. With a career average of 39.8 yards per touchdown catch, there is no denying where his value lives. His acceleration phase is long-lasting, creating easy wins over the top and requiring safety involvement in man coverage. He struggles with traditional, non-vertical routes and finishing contested catches. He’s not a catch-and-run specialist underneath but is dangerous crossing the hashes. He’s dealt with injuries dating back to high school, missing significant time in 2023 due to ankle and hamstring ailments. A lack of size and versatility create challenges for his long-term projection, so diversifying his portfolio of offerings might be necessary for him to stick on a roster long-term.
