For the first time in his career, Michael Thomas was a free agent during Week 1 of the NFL season. A second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Thomas spent his early years establishing himself as one of the game’s great receivers, recording 1,137 yards as a rookie before recording three consecutive 100-catch seasons. From 2017 to 2019, Thomas led the league in receptions (378) and yards (4,275) while adding 23 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Thomas’ time atop the NFL world did not last, as injuries essentially took away three years of his career.
After playing in just 10 games from 2020 to 2022, Thomas stayed somewhat healthy in 2023. Appearing in 10 games, the wide receiver recorded 39 receptions for 448 yards and a touchdown. While he looked like a decent third option in the passing attack, it wasn’t enough to save his job. The Saints cut Michael Thomas after the season, and he’s still a free agent as of this posting. However, that could change soon, as teams have incentive to sign older receivers after Week 1.
Michael Thomas is a vested veteran, which means his base salary would be fully guaranteed if he was on an NFL roster in Week 1. Considering his extensive injury history, no team wants to place too much faith in Thomas. However, now that it’s officially Week 2, teams could sign Michael Thomas as a free agent without worrying about guaranteed money. Several teams could use a wide receiver, but the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers make the most sense.
Ravens, Chargers Could Target Free Agent Michael Thomas
Based on their Week 1 performance, Zay Flowers will lead the Ravens wide receivers in targets by a considerable margin. Lamar Jackson targeted the first-round pick 10 times against the Kansas City Chiefs, but those opportunities only resulted in six receptions for 37 yards. While Jackson himself didn’t have the best game, Flowers might be the type of player who is better when surrounded by other talented pass-catchers. While it’s too late to add a superstar, Michael Thomas could be the best free agent available and is an ideal fit for this offense.
Historically speaking, the Ravens prefer to have a veteran receiver provide some support as a depth option in the passing attack. Odell Beckham filled that role last year, as the wideout finished his lone season in Baltimore with 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens never found a proper free agent replacement, but Michael Thomas could easily match that production in this offense. Nobody is asking him to recapture his 2019 form, but he should welcome the opportunity to join one of the game’s best offenses with the reigning NFL MVP.
More Help For Justin Herbert
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Las Vegas Raiders with Jim Harbaugh’s preferred style of play. The team ran the ball well, played solid defense, and ultimately limited Gardner Minshew and company to 10 points. This might be enough to beat a lowly Raiders squad, but they’ll need more from their passing game to match up with the elite AFC teams. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey looked good in his NFL debut, but the rest of the receivers were as advertised – and that’s not a good thing. Michael Thomas is the best free agent available and could probably start right away for this lackluster group.
With DJ Chark on the injured reserve, somebody must step up as the veteran option in this passing attack. Stylistically speaking, Chark and Michael Thomas are polar opposites, but the free agent could provide Herbert with a reliable set of hands. With a difficult path to the playoffs, what more could the Chargers ask for?
Main Photo: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
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