With All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas set to become a free agent after eight years with the New Orleans Saints, it’s easy to wonder what kind of market he’ll have in the weeks to come.
In the first half of his career, Thomas was putting up numbers that we hadn’t seen since Calvin Johnson’s. 2019 might go down as one of the best years for a wide receiver ever as he broke the single-season receptions record.
But the second half of the career has seen him absent for more than two-thirds of it. He’s played in just 20 games over the last four seasons and has less than 100 receptions over that span.
Nevertheless, someone is bound to sign him to a deal, even if it’s not for No. 1 wideout money.
So let’s take a look at three teams that should and perhaps will target Michael Thomas in free agency:
1. Denver Broncos
Whoever the quarterback for the Broncos in 2024 is, they’re going to need a lot of wide receiver help. The Broncos have talent at the position, but in the absolute arms race that is the AFC West, they can always use more.
It certainly helps that the Broncos are headed by Sean Payton, Thomas’ former head coach.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Speaking of the AFC East, the Chiefs have done a pretty good job of being a site for reclamation projects at wide receiver. They’ve given second chances to the likes of Kadarius Toney and Mecole Hardman with mixed results.
But if he’s healthy and primed for a bounceback year, can you even imagine what he can do with Patrick Mahomes as his wide receiver?
3. Baltimore Ravens
Somehow, some way, the Baltimore Ravens always manage to add a talented veteran to their roster. Whether it’s Odell Beckham Jr. or Dalvin Cook, the Ravens have a knack for being the team that seemingly comes out of nowhere and adds a player with a great reputation to their roster.
Much like he would on the Chiefs, Thomas seems like he’s be a great fit with a talented quarterback like two-time MVP Lamar Jackson throwing him the ball.
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But it could wind up being any of the 31 other teams signing Thomas in the days and weeks to come.
Who do you think will sign him?