Ebony Bird
FanSided

Could/Should the Baltimore Ravens trade for Michael Thomas?

By Richard Bradshaw

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 10: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints reacts following his 11-yard touchdown during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 10, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 10: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints reacts following his 11-yard touchdown during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 10, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 13: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 13, 2020, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 13: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 13, 2020, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Everyone’s favorite joke to make about  Michael Thomas is that he only runs slant routes, which has given him the nickname “Slant Boy.” It’s a lot of fun to poke at this meme-worthy name, but we have to give credit where it’s due. Thomas is an elite route runner and you don’t set the league’s single-season receptions record (149) without being a great, well-rounded receiver. Thomas is just that.

The biggest gripe with Thomas is the attitude that has labeled him as a diva and even a distraction. It’s the biggest reason that Thomas is even being discussed as a possible trade asset. Teams will have to seriously talk about whether he is worth the risk. Spoiler alert: he definitely is.

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Everything that Thomas brings to the table is huge. We already discussed he’s an elite route runner, but Thomas is also a physical receiver with a “my ball” mentality. At 6’3″ 212-lbs., there are few corners who can match up against Thomas for a full 60 minutes. He’s undoubtedly the complete package and the true X-receiver a team like Baltimore is sorely missing.

The only concern would be mixing Thomas in a locker room that already has a bit of a headache in Marquise Brown. Brown settled down to end the season, however, and made it seem like he was far removed from his outburst. If that’s the case, then getting Thomas to settle in maybe a bit easier.

Thomas would have to conform to a more run-heavy offense than what he’s used to in the Big Easy, but he would still get more than his fair share of targets. When you have the reputation that Thomas has it doesn’t matter what kind of offense you run because you find a way to get him the ball.

Lamar Jackson needs a guy like Thomas for this offense and that should be all the reason for the Ravens to make the move.

All this answers the question of “should” the Baltimore Ravens make a trade for Michael Thomas.

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