Browns’ Kevin Stefanski opens door for a forgotten player to earn reps after Amari Cooper trade

When the Cleveland Browns step onto the field in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, they will do it without their now former No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Cleveland traded Cooper to the Buffalo Bills and suddenly the Browns’ offense is a bit worse off on paper. Like with any move, it gives a chance for someone else to step up and fill a void.

On Wednesday, head coach Kevin Stefanski commented on rookie wide receiver Jamari Thrash potentially getting into the mix. Thrash has yet to make his season debut, but it appears to be coming with one less wideout now on the roster.

“Jamari is potentially a guy that could step up in this. He’s done a very nice job,” Stefanski explained. “I know you haven’t seen him since the preseason, but he works very hard during the week. I think he’s doing a nice job throughout this season. Just continuing to stay on top of what he needs to do.”

Thrash was able to get a lot of run in the preseason and training camp. The rookie wide receiver from Louisville had some bright moments and showed some of the reasons that the Browns drafted him. Cleveland spent a fifth-round pick on Thrash back in April.

After transferring from Georgia State to Louisville, Thrash had a strong season with the Cardinals totaling 858 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Thrash is one of the young wideouts that the Browns could soon rely on.

“I think as you know, Amari’s volume of targets was a lot. Well, those have to go to other people. So other people in the wide receiver room, the tight end room, the running back room, what have you. But we do have a lot of confidence in our guys.”

Thrash and Cedric Tillman are two recently drafted players who are going to slide up the depth chart. Cleveland needs to see what they have in both players going forward beyond 2024. Jerry Jeudy is in the fold for the future and Elijah Moore will be another top option for Cleveland this season.

At 1-5 on the season, the Browns could soon turn to younger talent on the roster. Thrash fits right into that and could be active as soon as Sunday against the Bengals.