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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was one of the best playmakers in the NFL following a 1,725-yard season in 2019. Since then, though, the former 2016 second-round pick hasn't been able to stay on the field.
Thomas has played in just 10 games over the past three seasons. The 30-year-old veteran has dealt with a high ankle sprain, a hamstring strain, and a toe injury during this span. But this offseason, he appears to be fully healthy for the first time in a while.
Where do I draft Thomas this season? What is his fantasy outlook in 2023? Let's dive in.
Michael Thomas's Career Stats
Thomas was one of the best wide receivers in the league only a couple of years ago. In his first four NFL seasons, he combined for 470 catches, 5,512 yards and 32 touchdowns. His best year came in 2019 when the wideout led the league with 149 catches and 1,725 receiving yards.
During that same stretch, Thomas was a fantasy football superstar. He finished top-7 at the wide receiver position in PPR formats in all four seasons, including a WR1 finish in all formats in 2019. That season saw the former Ohio State product average a whopping 23.4 PPR fantasy points per game.
However, following four dominant years, Thomas hasn't been able to replicate that success. In 2020, he missed nine games with a high ankle sprain/hamstring injury and also missed the entire 2021 season with the same ankle issue. Last year, the Saints' star played in just three games after undergoing season-ending toe surgery during the year.
Where Do I Draft Thomas For Fantasy Football?
Thomas appears to be fully healthy for the first time in three years, which is big news for his fantasy value. The three-time Pro Bowler was a full participant at Saints training camp on day one.
Even at age 30 and playing in just 10 games since 2020, Thomas remains a high-risk, high-reward player in drafts this season. The injuries over the past three years are a major concern. However, if he can stay healthy, fantasy managers will likely be rewarded. In 12-team non-Superflex leagues, an eight-round pick on the veteran seems like the best spot to draft him.
Last year, Thomas averaged 17 PPR fantasy points per game in three contests. It's a small sample size, but he will always be a big target in New Orleans' offense -- even with wide receiver Chris Olave there. The quarterback upgrade in Derek Carr should help as well.
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