Redskins sign top draft choice

Media General News Service
Published: July 18, 2008

The Washington Redskins have reached a contract agreement with their top choice in the 2008 draft, wide receiver Devin Thomas.

Thomas, from Michigan State, signed a $4.83 million, four-year contract.  The deal includes a signing bonus of about $2.7 million.

The Redskins drafted Thomas in the second round. The 6-foot-2, 218-pound receiver was taken 34th overall.  He is the ninth of the Redskins’ ten draft selections to sign with a team.  Only USC tight end Fred Davis, also a second-round selection, remains unsigned.

Thomas had one big year in college, catching a school-record 79 passes for 1,260 yards and eight touchdowns in 2007 as a junior at Michigan State. He also had a 29.1-yard average as a kickoff returner.

To make room on the roster for Thomas, the Redskins released first-year fullback Pete Schmitt.

The Redskins open training camp Sunday with an 8:30 a.m. practice.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)