It’s not too late for the Kansas City Chiefs to sign a receiver from the free agent pool. That is why Devon Platana of KC Kingdom believes the Chiefs should sign veteran wide receiver Michael Thomas before to the 2024 NFL Draft.
“Thomas has also not played with a quality quarterback since he was paired with Drew Brees.” I’m not saying Mahomes will turn him into a 1,700-yard receiver again, but I believe the combo will catch a lot of people off guard, making it an option worth considering,” Platana wrote on April 8.
What to Know About Michael Thomas
Thomas, 31, was the New Orleans Saints’ second-round choice (47th overall) in 2016.
Early in his career, Thomas, who measures 6-foot-3 and weighs 212 pounds, was a powerful force in New Orleans’ passing game with Brees at quarterback. He began his NFL career with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and two All-Pro selections.
According to Pro Football Reference, his finest season so far came in 2019, when he achieved career highs in targets (185), catches (149), and receiving yards (1,725). He was selected the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year for his performance that season.
Unfortunately, injuries have wrecked Thomas’ football career. Since 2020, he has missed 46 regular-season games, including the entire 2021 season.
The 2023 season marked the first time Thomas had played in double-digit games since 2019. With Derek Carr as his quarterback, Thomas had 39 receptions for 448 yards and one score in ten games.
According to Spotrac, Thomas’ NFL contracts have paid him $72.5 million.
Should the Chiefs Pursue Michael Thomas Before the Draft?
When healthy, Thomas still has the size and ball skills to be a WR3/WR4 in an offense, while lacking the explosiveness he possessed earlier in his football career. However, based on the present configuration of Kansas City’s receiving room, I believe Thomas will need to agree to a few things before the Chiefs offer him a deal.
First, Thomas would have to take the veteran’s minimum. It’s been several years since he’s been healthy for a full season. If Kansas City general manager Brett Veach wants to include any per-game roster compensation in his team’s offer to Thomas, that’s OK. However, the guaranteed money should be kept to a minimum to ensure that this is a low-risk deal.
Next, Thomas would have to agree to join with the Chiefs following the selection. On May 2, free-agent signings no longer have a bearing on the compensatory formula, making certain long-standing free agents more appealing to teams looking to fill roster vacancies after the draft.
Signing Thomas to that type of deal after the draft would make him the least risky signing conceivable while also giving the former All-Pro a chance to compete for a Super Bowl ring. Thomas has never played in a Conference Championship, let alone a Super Bowl, so the prospect of perhaps progressing further in the playoffs with the two-time defending Super Bowl champs may pique his curiosity.
The 2024 NFL Draft is Right Around the Corner
The 2024 NFL Draft begins on April 25 in Detroit, Michigan, and will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network.
Kansas City has seven draft picks this year:
- Round 1: Pick 32
- Round 2: Pick 64
- Round 3: Pick 95
- Round 4: Pick 131
- Round 5: Pick 159 (from DAL)
- Round 5: Pick 173 (compensatory)
- Round 7: Pick 227 (from TEN)
