Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

the front office just told us they don't trust Coleman. Solid selection.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Michael Thomas (WR)

HT: 6'3" WT: 212LBS.
POSITION: WR
SCHOOL: Ohio St.
ARM LENGTH: 32 1/8"
HANDS: 10 1/2"

Overview
Thomas is the nephew of former USC and NFL star receiver Keyshawn Johnson, which portends an excellent pro career. His road to this spot has been bumpy at times, however. Passed over by USC and UCLA as a high school recruit, Thomas went to Fork Union Military Academy (where he roomed with OSU quarterback Cardale Jones) instead of accepting scholarship offers from second-tier programs. He played in 11 games as a freshman, catching just three passes (22 yards) for the Buckeyes, and then was redshirted for the 2013 season just one game in because he was struggling to learn the offense and make his grades. Just one year later, Thomas became the leading receiver (54 catches, 799 yards, nine scores) on a national championship squad. He proved 2014 wasn’t a fluke by once again leading the Buckeyes with 56 catches, 781 yards, and nine touchdowns this fall, garnering third-team All-Big Ten honors from league coaches and media. Thomas won't be picked No. 1 overall like his uncle, but an NFL team will see his potential as a Sunday playmaker.

Pro Day Results

40-yard dash: 4.55 seconds
Vertical: 33 1/2 inches

SELECTED BY: Saints
ROUND: 2
PICK (OVERALL): 16 (47)

PICK ANALYSIS:
"His greatest strengths are that he has ball skill and he's a competitive SOB. He's a refuse-to-lose type player. I think that he will have a long career in the NFL." -- Ohio State coach Urban Meyer

COMBINE STATS
40 YARD DASH: 4.57 SEC
BENCH PRESS: 18 REPS
VERTICAL JUMP: 35.0 INCH
BROAD JUMP: 126.0 INCH
3 CONE DRILL: 6.80 SEC
20 YARD SHUTTLE: 4.13 SEC
60 YARD SHUTTLE: 11.70 SEC


ANALYSIS

Strengths
Has the triangle numbers (height/weight/speed) of a WR1. Drives off the line of scrimmage selling his vertical push and forcing cornerbacks into passive position. Uses plus separation quickness at top of his route to provide comfortable passing window. Hands catcher who catches away from his frame when possible. Wasn't asked to work vertically much, but tape looks like he has a shot. Has the juice after catch to make defenses pay the price for missed tackles. Real red zone target who stacks the defender, tracks throw out of quarterback's hand and makes late play on the ball over top of defender. Has desired traits and flashes the tools.


Weaknesses
Struggles with footwork out of press release spending excessive time trying to fake and shake cornerbacks. Still figuring out this whole "route running" thing. Needs to improve playing through contact and adjusting routes appropriately. Still thinking rather than just playing. Will have to work back to the throw more often on NFL level. Won't win over quarterbacks with inability to rescue the off-*target throws. Plays with passive field demeanor against aggressive cornerbacks. Won't go looking for work as run blocker if he doesn't have to. Doesn't appear to offer special teams value.


Draft Projection
Rounds 2 or 3


NFL Comparison
Charles Johnson


Bottom Line
Thomas has just scratched the surface of his potential in Ohio State's offense full of quick outs and tunnel screens. While he has the size and potential to excite offensive coordinators, Thomas is still a work in progress who must develop a greater feel for the position if he is to match his traits with real NFL production. Thomas has a relatively high ceiling, but his floor is "bust."

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Great pick. Can't wait to see him in action!

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Awesome pick there. Snead and Cooks are both #2's. We need a big, skillfull #1.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Im not super happy about the pick....but still plenty of DTs available. Would have been reaching for a speed end or OLB.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Avoid eating spaghetti before watching his film...

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Yeah, we just saw nearly every defensive linemen everyone here at B&G wanted go off the board...in the second round...

The best wide receivers went off the board in the first round...

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

As i said i think getting more line help was better but i get the pick. We lost the big receiver when Colston went. Dont think Coleman has shown enough to take that spot.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Struggles with footwork out of press

struggles is putting lightly. He got eaten up by Eric Murry CB Min. gave up 6" and spent the game in his grill and naturalized him.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Fortunately everyone here isn't responsible for making the picks.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Well it was said early on in the draft process that the saints liked the kid. So I guess we should have seen this coming back in Feb.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Fortunately? Are you on another planet? Have you been paying attention to our drafts for the last six years?

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

I love love love big wide rec. PLus the intangible is how much they help your run game. The fact that he is competitive means he will do it all for you. Like this pick a lot

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

he is not our number 1 receiver. Cooks is, thomas takes the heat off cooks.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Yes, before Ireland became involved they sucked. Last year was very solid. Looking for much of the same this year. I don't live in the past like some around here.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Those that fail to learn from their history or doomed to repeat it...

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

2014 wasn't too bad

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

The Saints learned and now have Ireland involved. The past has passed.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Jean he has better speed than treadwell.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

In nearly all his film, he only received single coverage; if you have access to the film watch...

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

I don't this was ireland's choice.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Guess we are not going to get a quality DE or DT. I think we should have went that way. Realize we were probably going to need another receiver but thought we could wait for a later pick

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Cook maybe SP #1 weapon but he is not a #1 WR in a line up. cook is not a possession WR. Cook is a toy you line up all over the place to drive defense nuts.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Seattle knows defense they went Reed. steal

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

We were not going to get six DTs on the team.

those corners and safeties i listed have not been taken yet.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Will, let me say that when they want to get serious about the combine and project players...

Let them strap on the pads, then run the drills...

One of the best MLB, ILB in the last twenty years, Miami's Zach Thomas, should have never seen an NFL film if it was about the underwear olympics...

We still have way too many coaches' sons in our scouting department and we still have a long way to go in the staffing, structure and management in scouting and drafting...

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Do you mean like assisted him with immigrating?

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Guess they need to hire you since you obviously know it all.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Now let me ask you?

Would you rather had we taken Treadwell or Doctson in the first round, and taken Reed in the second round?

Or taken Rankins in the first and Keyshawn's nephew in the second round?

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Ireland is probably tied up and stuffed in a closet right now...

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

WS 81 is right though We do need corner/safety help we got burned back there all last year

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

The team has always looked better as a 4 headed recieving core of late
Fleener
Thomas
Snead
Cooks

Snead needs to prove it wasn't a one off season and Coleman has proved nothing so i get the pick. Not taking Reed is a surprise though. I guess they just wanted to get more holes plugged or have there wyes on a 3rd-5th round line depth

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

this org is about bpa

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

I will say this, up until they announced the selection...

Deuce continued to show class paying respect to Hokie Gajan and Will Smith...

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

When i looked u the 2013 draft, i saw dts drafted third round that were productive.

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

The nephew of former No. 1 overall pick Keyshawn Johnson, Ohio State's Michael Thomas is ready to make a name for himself. As the top receiver in this year's draft class, Thomas is doing just that.

In a draft dominated by smaller receivers, Thomas' size is a positive trait. He's a full 6'2 ¾" with a jacked 217-pound frame. His 10 ½-inch hands are above-average size for his frame and allow Thomas to grab the ball away from his body with confidence.

In the last two seasons at Ohio State, we charted just five drops for Thomas on 110 catches. He turned those catches into 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns in an offense that featured the running back first and a running quarterback second. Without getting 100-plus targets per season, Thomas still managed to produce quality numbers.

Thomas' ability to stutter-step and set up cornerbacks with double moves is impressive for a big receiver. He knows how to vary his speed and can break down his hips to leave cornerbacks guessing and driving upfield while he's running by them.

Thomas is a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. Put him in the "X" and get him the ball. He has the skills to make an early impact in any offensive system.



NEGATIVES

Thomas doesn't always look natural as a route-runner against tough man coverage. He can tear up off coverage, but he isn't always reacting and gliding through his routes if a good defensive back is in-phase. Trusting his routes and playing with more of a dog mentality will help him here.

As with any Ohio State receiver, Thomas must answer concerns that the offense created opportunities for him. Can he create on his own? The tape would seem to say yes, but in the NFL he won't have the playmakers around him that the Buckeyes threatened college defenses with.

On special teams, Thomas has no value and no experience. He's not built for fourth down.



COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'2 ¾"

Weight: 217 lbs.

40 Time: 4.47s

3-Cone: 6.80s

Short Shuttle: 4.13s



PRO COMPARISON: Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
FINAL GRADE: 7.10/9.00 (Round 1—Rookie Starter)

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

If it was me drafting I would feel the same way. The draft usualy takes time to see how well you did so today's needs aren't necessarily served by the draft. Getting a good football player is always a good idea. I do think we should have taken the pothead dixie loving black tackle, but guess after you see a douche bag with a belt eat your cap...

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

Oh that's right, I forgot that you're Mickey's Yes Man...

Re: 2016 Saints Draft Live Discussion Thread
 

One thing occurred to me with all these picks the Titans have, can you imagine if/when they all hit, having to sign them all in four years?!?