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SmashMouth 06-02-2021 06:49 AM

Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
1 Attachment(s)
We’re in the thick of the NFL offseason and it’s officially time to start fantasy football prep. I’ll be answering the biggest questions heading into the 2021 season. Click here to read the series of questions answered so far.

No proven alpha No. 1 WR has faced more consistent social media scrutiny than Michael Thomas in recent years. Don’t get me wrong, Thomas has brought some of this on himself by 1.) randomly stirring the pot with others on Twitter, 2.) not exactly shining at his brightest in recent playoff performances, and 3.) missing a game after becoming yet another WR to punch Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Still, the general slander for a player who has already accomplished so much in just five seasons of action is a bit alarming.

https://media.pff.com/2020/07/Michae...pg?w=956&h=538

I won’t argue with anyone who doesn’t want to place Thomas among the NFL’s top-five real life or fantasy WRs, but he fully deserves to be in the conversation. Writing off the NFL’s single-season record holder for most receptions after one injury-riddled season that (again) included plenty of time with a backup QB under center seems unwise.

What follows is a breakdown of how special Thomas has been during his early career and what we should make of his fantasy football stock entering 2021.


THE SLANT-BOY SLANDER IS OVERBLOWN

Many are quick to criticize Thomas due to the reality that he’s been borderline unstoppable running slants over the years. The ridiculousness of hating on a player for being too dominant on a single play is just absurd to me — I’ve never heard anybody say Steph Curry should start shooting fewer three-pointers.

PFF is cool enough to provide per-route data from every play of every game. We can use this to identify just how productive Thomas has been when running a variety of routes:

Slant route: 6.44 yards per route run (No. 1 out of 145 qualified WRs)
Comeback and hitch: 3.64 YPRR (No. 2 out of 126)
In, post and crossing routes: 4.59 YPRR (No. 6 out of 150)
Out and corner routes: 1.42 YPRR (No. 41 out of 130)
Go, wheel, fades and general deep routes: 3.24 YPRR (No. 24 out of 98)
Screen: 0.67 YPRR (No. 88 out of 116)
Thomas has certainly been the master of the slant, and he also finds himself near the top of the leaderboard in different routes, too! Before you freak out about the screens: guys including Mike Evans, Odell Beckham, Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper and Allen Robinson II were all even less efficient than Thomas. Randos such as Jakeem Grant, Josh Huff and Adam Humphries are at the top — it makes sense that guys who don’t attract as much attention from the defense have had more success on screens over the years.

more from PFF

st thomas 06-02-2021 08:58 AM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by SmashMouth (Post 921419)
We’re in the thick of the NFL offseason and it’s officially time to start fantasy football prep. I’ll be answering the biggest questions heading into the 2021 season. Click here to read the series of questions answered so far.

No proven alpha No. 1 WR has faced more consistent social media scrutiny than Michael Thomas in recent years. Don’t get me wrong, Thomas has brought some of this on himself by 1.) randomly stirring the pot with others on Twitter, 2.) not exactly shining at his brightest in recent playoff performances, and 3.) missing a game after becoming yet another WR to punch Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Still, the general slander for a player who has already accomplished so much in just five seasons of action is a bit alarming.

https://media.pff.com/2020/07/Michae...pg?w=956&h=538

I won’t argue with anyone who doesn’t want to place Thomas among the NFL’s top-five real life or fantasy WRs, but he fully deserves to be in the conversation. Writing off the NFL’s single-season record holder for most receptions after one injury-riddled season that (again) included plenty of time with a backup QB under center seems unwise.

What follows is a breakdown of how special Thomas has been during his early career and what we should make of his fantasy football stock entering 2021.

https://twitter.com/Ihartitz/status/1270084179078807552

THE SLANT-BOY SLANDER IS OVERBLOWN

Many are quick to criticize Thomas due to the reality that he’s been borderline unstoppable running slants over the years. The ridiculousness of hating on a player for being too dominant on a single play is just absurd to me — I’ve never heard anybody say Steph Curry should start shooting fewer three-pointers.

PFF is cool enough to provide per-route data from every play of every game. We can use this to identify just how productive Thomas has been when running a variety of routes:

Slant route: 6.44 yards per route run (No. 1 out of 145 qualified WRs)
Comeback and hitch: 3.64 YPRR (No. 2 out of 126)
In, post and crossing routes: 4.59 YPRR (No. 6 out of 150)
Out and corner routes: 1.42 YPRR (No. 41 out of 130)
Go, wheel, fades and general deep routes: 3.24 YPRR (No. 24 out of 98)
Screen: 0.67 YPRR (No. 88 out of 116)
Thomas has certainly been the master of the slant, and he also finds himself near the top of the leaderboard in different routes, too! Before you freak out about the screens: guys including Mike Evans, Odell Beckham, Calvin Ridley, Amari Cooper and Allen Robinson II were all even less efficient than Thomas. Randos such as Jakeem Grant, Josh Huff and Adam Humphries are at the top — it makes sense that guys who don’t attract as much attention from the defense have had more success on screens over the years.

more from PFF


I hope big T gets back to his dominance in saints history , I hope he’s rehabbing well.winstons no Drew Brees but I believe Thomas is ecstatic about Winston getting a shot at # 1


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shawnkytonk 06-02-2021 11:15 AM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
The hate for MT in the fantasy football community is nothing short of comical. There's a forum I've visited for 20 years that is a great source for not only FF, but college and the NFL as well. Numerous posters there think he is pretty much toast. There are a handful that don't even think he'll ever reach his rookie #'s. He's now being labeled "injury prone." He had a high ankle sprain last year. That's seem really atrocious analysis. The guy is what.....28? He's still in his prime for I'd say 3 years.

AsylumGuido 06-02-2021 11:48 AM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by st thomas (Post 921429)
I hope big T gets back to his dominance in saints history , I hope he’s rehabbing well.winstons no Drew Brees but I believe Thomas is ecstatic about Winston getting a shot at # 1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, to be honest, with all of his injuries, Brees wasn't Brees these last two seasons. If Winston does as he has claimed and embraces the role of a game manager Thomas may be pure gold in the fantasy world once again.

MatthewT 06-02-2021 11:58 AM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Michael Thomas is basically viewed as a great possession receiver with limited ability to stretch the field. It will be interesting to see if that perception changes with Winston or Hill as the QB.

Rugby Saint II 06-03-2021 02:15 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewT (Post 921444)
Michael Thomas is basically viewed as a great possession receiver with limited ability to stretch the field. It will be interesting to see if that perception changes with Winston or Hill as the QB.

We all know how much Winston loves firing the deep ball. If Winston can connect on the medium and short outlet passes in a tight window and be successful then we'll be alright. He is at the least a capable QB that needs a solid game plan from Payton with two or three go routes to stretch the field. I believe that Payton can get the most out of him while playing to his strengths.

I'm not yet a firm believer in his ability to deliver a touch pass under pressure. Under pressure is where Drew shone with quick decision making and an accurate pass. Not to mention he was extremely shifty in the pocket. Whoever wins the QB contest in training camp needs to process information faster than what I've seen from either of them in limited action.

mapcow 06-04-2021 05:10 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Thomas is gonna bail

Boston Saint 06-04-2021 05:25 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
We will definitely find out weather the idea that defenses were squatting down on our pass game has merit or not !

AsylumGuido 06-04-2021 05:36 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mapcow (Post 921553)
Thomas is gonna bail

:rolleyes:

Rugby Saint II 06-06-2021 12:29 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
If Thomas doesn't ball he may want to be traded. It turns out that he's a Diva. Oh well, the top receivers usually are. I still wish we had Drew's leadership in the locker room. He will definitely be missed on the field as well as in the locker room.

mapcow 06-06-2021 03:07 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
:rolleyes::doh:
Quote:

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 921558)
:rolleyes:


AsylumGuido 06-06-2021 03:26 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mapcow (Post 921629)
:rolleyes::doh:

Hater's gonna hate.

mapcow 06-13-2021 09:58 AM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
:dunce:you pride yourself on name calling.... don't you?

AsylumGuido 06-13-2021 12:43 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mapcow (Post 921954)
:dunce:you pride yourself on name calling.... don't you?

Call it like I see it. You crawl in here once a month or so just to share your snippet of negative vibes.

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/84601669.jpg

mapcow 06-14-2021 08:30 AM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 921959)
Call it like I see it. You crawl in here once a month or so just to share your snippet of negative vibes.

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/84601669.jpg

as do I....

The creaton that likes to spread fake news/rumors...like the one with Russell Wilson:rolleyes:..... :dunce:

bet you waiting on pins and needles, to see my reply. So you can type some of your insightful wisdom.:p

mapcow 06-14-2021 08:31 AM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 921959)
Call it like I see it. You crawl in here once a month or so just to share your snippet of negative vibes.

https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/84601669.jpg

as do I....

You are the cretin that likes to spread fake news/rumors...like the one with Russell Wilson:rolleyes:..... :dunce:

bet you waiting on pins and needles, to see my reply. So you can type some of your insightful wisdom.:p

AsylumGuido 06-14-2021 01:24 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mapcow (Post 921983)
as do I....

You are the cretin that likes to spread fake news/rumors...like the one with Russell Wilson:rolleyes:..... :dunce:

bet you waiting on pins and needles, to see my reply. So you can type some of your insightful wisdom.:p

I never spread anything false about Russell Wilson. Are you seriously that ignorant? I shared a first hand story from a friend that was with Wilson on a visit to a Wounded Warriors gathering when Wilson was a freshman at NC State. Wilson told my friend that he was dealing with a case of food poisoning but didn't want to miss the trip. I even included photos taken by my friend at the event of Wilson meeting with individual soldiers.

How the hell is that "spreading fake news/rumors"? In case your feeble mind cannot understand, that true story was confirming the outstanding character of Russell Wilson. You, sir, have some serious mental issues.

:dunce:

K Major 06-14-2021 01:47 PM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewT (Post 921444)
Michael Thomas is basically viewed as a great possession receiver with limited ability to stretch the field. It will be interesting to see if that perception changes with Winston or Hill as the QB.

Personally, I don't think it will.

In Sean Payton's offense, the ability to win in the middle part of the field is where it's at even with Taysom or JW under center. I'd much rather a guy who can basically catch everything thrown in his zip code than the occasional deep pass. IIRC Mike had the lowest drop % in the league in 2019.

At his size, "violent hands", superior route running & the ability to separate is what makes him a great WR. We have 3quan, Harris & Callaway for those long ball attempts when needed … something they all excelled at in college.

Doesn't bother me one bit the way he is perceived by the national media.

He's elite at the position with a very unique skill set.

mapcow 06-15-2021 09:38 AM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 921997)
I never spread anything false about Russell Wilson. Are you seriously that ignorant? I shared a first hand story from a friend that was with Wilson on a visit to a Wounded Warriors gathering when Wilson was a freshman at NC State. Wilson told my friend that he was dealing with a case of food poisoning but didn't want to miss the trip. I even included photos taken by my friend at the event of Wilson meeting with individual soldiers.

How the hell is that "spreading fake news/rumors"? In case your feeble mind cannot understand, that true story was confirming the outstanding character of Russell Wilson. You, sir, have some serious mental issues.

:dunce:

Yeah.... whatever.... you are so obtuse.

AsylumGuido 06-15-2021 09:47 AM

Re: Fantasy Football: What should we expect from Michael Thomas in the post-Brees era?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by mapcow (Post 922035)
Yeah.... whatever.... you are so obtuse.

You may want to look in a mirror, my friend. :D


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