4 wide receivers who can help Ravens’ Lamar Jackson take the next step
By Kristen Wong
2. Michael Thomas
There’s always one player on these kinds of lists that elicits strong reactions, and Michael Thomas is that guy.
The New Orleans Saints wideout hasn’t played a full season since 2019; in the last three seasons, he’s only played 10 total games.
Thomas dealt with a nagging ankle injury (which we’re sure Lamar Jackson can relate to) that caused him to miss the entire 2021 season, and then this past campaign he suffered a season-ending toe injury and could only sit on the sidelines watching the Saints’ season go down in flames.
At worst, he’s a severely injury-prone liability whose risk may weigh far more than the reward, but if the Ravens can get a good price for him, why not?
Thomas showed flashes of his former OPOY self in the games he played in 2022 and has at least one more Pro Bowl year left in him. He won’t be breaking receiving records like he did back then, but when healthy, he can serve as Jackson’s go-to deep threat and add another dimension to the Ravens’ passing game.
As for the logistics — the Saints would take on a dead cap hit of roughly $25 million if they cut or traded Thomas prior to June 1, so there’s a good chance NOLA will still hold onto him this offseason.
But there’s also a chance the Saints have grown sick and tired of Thomas’ injury narrative and the false hope that comes along with it. Thomas could get the fresh start he needs as a Baltimore Raven in 2023.