Will Michael Thomas Play Week 1? Should I Draft Thomas for Fantasy Football?

Will Michael Thomas finally get back on a football field during the regular season? This is the question of the hour.

Not just for the New Orleans Saints' new head coach Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, but also for Saints fans and fantasy football managers.

Let's take a closer look if Michael Thomas will be ready to play by Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season, and if you should draft Michael Thomas for fantasy football.

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Michael Thomas Year In Review

After struggling through a miserable 2020 season to play with Drew Brees, Thomas inexplicably waited through most of the offseason before getting his ankle repaired through surgery.

While this was a decision he will likely regret, it was still his decision. With a year off and now coming into the 2022 training camp sessions by being placed on PUP, the questions about him linger.

The good news for the team and Saints fans alike, he has already come off the PUP list. This means he is now taking part in training camp.

Michael Thomas took part in 7-on-7s.

The hitch routes still kill DBs

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) August 3, 2022

What Is Michael Thomas Fantasy Football Outlook?

His ability to still be a top-tier fantasy wide receiver, as well as his mentoring of Chris Olave, will do a lot to determine the success of the New Orleans Saints in 2022. Especially with the questions surrounding Alvin Kamara not settled.

During his incredible 2019 season, Thomas caught 149 passes on 185 targets for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns. While struggling through his ankle injuries in 2022, he only managed to play in seven games. In those games, he had a paltry 40 receptions and 438 yards on 55 targets.

With Drew Brees no longer in the fold, his days of 149 receptions may be over but the New Orleans Saints need a lot more than the 40 receptions he achieved the last time he took the field.

A season of 90 receptions and 1,200 yards is needed and easily attainable for Thomas with Jameis Winston at the helm.

Michael Thomas is looking sharp 👀

(🎥 @RosvoglouReport)pic.twitter.com/DZjOQ7zhWA

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) August 2, 2022

Will Michael Thomas Play in Week 1?

So far things look on track for Michael Thomas to be ready for the start of the NFL season. So, the odds are good that the answer is yes.

He carries obvious risk in 2022 fantasy football drafts due to all his time missed and major changes across the offense, but the upside at his current ADP of 74 overall at WR31 makes him a potential league winner if things break right.

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