Following the loss of Michael Thomas, the New Orleans Saints may select a new quarterback, Derek Carr, in the 2024 NFL Draft that would be a perfect fit.
Although Thomas was cut earlier in the offseason to free up cap space before free agency, New Orleans may be able to find a better vertical passing game partner for Carr as the draft approaches.
Josh Edwards writes, “Michael Thomas is gone,” for CBS Sports. And even with Rashid Shaheed’s rise, there still leaves a space beside Chris Olave. With his standard X receiver skill set, Brian Thomas Jr. would allow Olave to line up around the formation.
At 6 feet 4 inches and 205 pounds, Thomas Jr. possesses the build of a red-zone target and the quickness to pose a serious threat in the passing game.
Despite sharing a receiving room with Malik Nabers, a possible top-5 pick, Thomas Jr. managed to carve out a space for himself during his final season at LSU.
Thomas Jr. averaged a very impressive 17.3 yards per reception while catching 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns.
For NFL.com, Lance Zierlein says, “presents an appealing combination of size, length, and speed with experience working inside and outside.” Thomas occasionally mimics the actions of a route runner, but he lacks the agility, quickness, and bend that are necessary for improvement.
“He can uncover swiftly underneath and is elusive against press, but he still needs to work on his intermediate routes and play a bit more physically when packed in order to develop into a well-rounded player. Early in his career, Thomas could be relied upon as an NFL team’s designated deep guy since he rarely has trouble creating separation deep. Though raw, Thomas has the potential to develop into a WR1/2 in the future.
Even though Carr is excellent in the vertical passing game, the Saints’ 2023 season lacked a reliable deep threat. By including Thomas Jr. in the first round of the draft in April, that may alter.
