After his rookie season and going into his first NFL offseason, the Browns' coaching staff wanted WR Jamari Thrash to work on becoming a consistent pair of hands for the quarterbacks to pass to.

The second-year wideout took that feedback to heart and has exhausted every avenue to work on his technique. He has been on the JUGS machine catching passes. He is constantly squeezing a tennis ball to strengthen his hands, and he is running routes whenever possible. He worked out with QB Dillon Gabriel this summer in California, building chemistry with a teammate and seeing the spiral of the football come at him from the opposite way from a left-handed NFL quarterback.

The work paid off for Thrash against the Eagles, as Gabriel found Thrash four times through the air for 43 yards. Thrash led all Browns' receivers in receptions and had the second-most receiving yards.

"I think my biggest adjustment was just catching the ball," Thrash said. "Coming from college, the NFL ball is a little bit wider, and I think that's something that I struggled with last year was catching the ball consistently. So that's what I worked on a lot this summer."

After being drafted in the fifth round in April 2024 and going to rookie minicamp in May, Thrash said he didn't have time to adjust to the speed of play in the NFL, giving him some rookie year difficulties. He was being targeted seven times in nine games, compiling three receptions for 22 receiving yards, resulting in Thrash being frustrated with the results of his playing time.

As he reflected on his rookie season, Thrash realized that he wasn't where he needed to be in order to produce like he wanted to. This self-realization led to the work he did in this offseason and now, the production he has shown through training camp and the preseason.

"It was frustrating, but I also know I wasn't ready, and I'm okay with that. I'm content with that. I let myself know like, 'Yeah, you're not where you where you need to be at,'" Thrash said. "So, it was frustrating a lot, but at the same time, that's what comes with preparation and determination and motivation. I think that's how I got to where I am today."

Browns wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea has three requirements for his players – get open, catch the ball and compete in the run game. According to O'Shea, Thrash was able to grow as a player because he made himself available, getting on the field throughout the offseason. As a result, Thrash grew as a pass-catcher, excelling at catching balls during the spring, especially through contact.

On the Browns latest depth chart, Thrash is WR3 behind Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, being projected to play in the slot. Throughout training camp, he has showcased the hands, elusiveness and speed needed to play the position.

On the second day of training camp, during an 11-on-11 drill in the red zone, he scored the lone touchdown of the drill. Thrash and Gabriel connected in the back of the end zone, utilizing the chemistry they built during the offseason. The next day, during 1-on-1s, Thrash juked CB Greg Newsome II and ran past him, getting open for an easy touchdown.

Thrash continued building chemistry and stacking days during the first practice back at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus following the first preseason game against the Panthers. In a drill where the offense had to go 65 yards in 55 seconds, the first two passes from QB Joe Flacco went to Thrash to quickly move the offense down the field.

Then, in the second preseason game against the Eagles, the Browns faced a third-and-2 situation early in the second quarter. As the play unfolded, Thrash was a wide-open target for Gabriel above the sticks, turning a 2-yard catch into a 19-yard gain as he took off down the field.

"Jamari (Thrash) is a very dependable player. (He) gets open, catches the football. The most important parts of a job, he does," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "The quarterbacks have a lot of trust in him, and it was good to see him make those plays and make a couple of extra yards out there. He's done that in the first couple of games as well."

Stefanski acknowledged that they put a lot on Thrash's plate to work on in the offseason. However, Stefanski said Thrash did well for himself, being a good example of a guy who listened to the coaching points and followed the offseason program they set for him. As a result, he set himself up for success heading into training camp and ahead of the regular season by having an intentional offseason of growth and learning.

Following a rookie year where Thrash had only three catches, he now has a full year of NFL experience under his belt and the trust of the coaching staff after an offseason of work. With just over weeks until the regular season, Thrash has a chance to make his mark with the Browns in his sophomore season.

"This is the year I get to also showcase my skills, because I didn't play a lot last year. So, coming into this year and just being familiar with the offense, I can play a lot faster," Thrash said. "I'm not thinking as much and just understanding different coverages and things like that. So, I'm really excited for this year for me and not only for me, but for the Browns."