Redskins sign rookie WR Thomas

Jul 18, 2008 - 7:48 PM ASHBURN, Virginia (Ticker) -- The Washington Redskins on Friday signed wide receiver Devin Thomas, the team's top pick in this year's draft.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The 6-2, 218-pound Thomas was the 34th overall selection and second wide receiver chosen, immediately following St. Louis Rams rookie Donnie Avery.

"Signing my contract is something I wanted to get out of the way," Thomas said. "I did not want to hold out. Now that the financial aspect is taken care of, it is time to play football."

At Michigan State, Thomas played in 23 games - including 13 starts. He racked up a school-record 79 receptions for a Big Ten Conference-leading 1,260 receiving yards and a team-high eight touchdowns last season.

Thomas also established a conference record in 2007 for kickoff return yards in a season with 1,135. His 2,590 all-purpose yards led the Big Ten as well, and the total is the second-highest in the league's history, behind only current Kansas City Chiefs running back and former Penn State star Larry Johnson's 2,655 yards in 2002.

Thomas is the ninth of 10 Redskins draft picks to sign his rookie deal. Only tight end Fred Davis, also a second-round draft pick at No. 48 overall, remains unsigned with two days left before the start of training camp.

Redskins wide receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El are expected to resume their starting roles in 2008, with Thomas and fellow rookie Malcolm Kelly expected to contribute as well.

"(Kelly and I) are friends, but we will also compete," Thomas said. "That will only help our ability to perform well because we will be able to talk about what is going on, which makes it more fun."