Michael Thomas was a star wide receiver at Ohio State, but should the Minnesota Vikings look into selecting the dynamic pass catcher in the 2016 NFL Draft?
Ohio State’s Michael Thomas was a big deal at Ohio State, and that wasn’t by luck. The nephew of former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson, Thomas has had the door shut in his face on several occasions, including his attempts to join USC and UCLA to play college football. Through hard work and determination, he earned his way through Fork Union Military Academy to get to Ohio State and make some noise.
There plenty more great positives for Thomas other than his work ethic. He definitely looks the part of a star receiver in the NFL. He’s got the height, weight and speed that could make him a very appealing option for teams hoping to find a #1 wide receiver outside of the top 15 picks. Using his strength and agility, he can get separation with ease from most cornerbacks, as his routes are crisp and intelligent.
But not everything about Michael Thomas is great. He seems to struggle when getting jammed at the line of scrimmage by physical corners and can struggle to get back up to speed after this contact. When you add in some dropped passes that seem to be because of concentration and not any physical issues, you have a pass catcher who could need some focus coaching at the professional level. He will need to be more willing of a pass blocker and be more willing to adjust for off-target passes.
Here are Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas’ numbers from the events at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL.com:
Height: 6’3″
Michael Thomas compares to:
- CBS Sports: Reuben Randle, Giants
- NFL.com: Charles Johnson, Vikings
Fit for the Minnesota Vikings:
If Laquon Treadwell and Josh Doctson are off the board by the time the Minnesota Vikings are on the clock at the 2016 NFL Draft, they might consider using that pick on Michael Thomas. His size, speed, and game smarts should be enough to really interest the team, as they could be desperate to find a big bodied pass catcher to pair with breakout star Stefon Diggs.
Next: 5 WR options for the Vikings in the 2016 NFL Draft
My Take:
To me, Michael Thomas is one of those guys that I wouldn’t be angry if he was selected, but I wouldn’t love it either. Especially if he is the Vikings #23 overall selection. But I could see why Minnesota would be interested, with his physical ability and potential to be a huge asset for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. I’d love him more as a second round selection, but I don’t think he’ll still be available at that point.