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Washington Football Team: Five players to watch in Week 3 vs. Browns

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 23: Cornerback Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Football Team celebrates wtih free safety D.J. Swearinger #36 and cornerback Bashaud Breeland #26 after intercepting a pass thrown by quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants (not pictured) in the fourth quarter at FedExField on November 23, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 23: Cornerback Kendall Fuller #29 of the Washington Football Team celebrates wtih free safety D.J. Swearinger #36 and cornerback Bashaud Breeland #26 after intercepting a pass thrown by quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants (not pictured) in the fourth quarter at FedExField on November 23, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Logan Thomas #82 of the Washington Football Team catches a pass for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on September 13, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Logan Thomas #82 of the Washington Football Team catches a pass for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on September 13, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

3. TE Logan Thomas

If Washington wants to move the ball on the Cleveland defense, they’re going to have to attack the middle of the field to do it. The Browns are weak at the linebacker position with Mack Wilson out and Joe Schobert now in Jacksonville. Add in the preseason injury to safety Grant Delpit and Karl Joseph is the only real solid starter in that part of the defense.

Because of this, the Browns have been weak against tight ends so far this season. They’ve allowed 18 receptions, 148 yards, and three TDs to the position through two games, and unless they get back some of their injured defensive talent, they could have trouble containing the position once again.

That’s why Logan Thomas‘ performance in this contest will be so important. The tight end has been one of Haskins’ favorite targets through two games and is actually tied for the team lead in total targets with 17. He could be in for a big day against a weaker Browns defense.

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Of course, Thomas is going to have to play better than he did last week against the Cardinals. In Arizona, Thomas caught just four passes for 26 yards despite being targeted nine times. He had a couple of catchable passes glance off his hands and will need to atone for those mistakes in Week 3 if Washington wants to get off to a quick start on offense.

Washington’s game plan should involve targeting Thomas early and often because of the weakness in the middle of the Browns defense. If he can get going early and demand attention from the defense, that will open up more opportunities for Terry McLaurin and Steven Sims to make plays.

Thomas also has a chance to be a red-zone weapon, so it’s important that he proves he can make contested catches. Otherwise, his value in that area will be more limited than the team was hoping when they decided to roll with him as their top tight end.

We’ll soon see what Thomas can accomplish against Cleveland, but there’s no doubt that this is an important game and it could end up being one of his biggest performances of the season if all goes well.

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