Cowboys ‘Must Consider’ Signing Record-Breaking Receiver, Says Analyst
The Cowboys could be a great destination for WR Michael Thomas. One blogger believes the Dallas Cowboys should look at signing a notable veteran wide receiver on the free agent market. According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, one of the three players the Cowboys “must consider” signing is New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. Thomas, 31, has spent his entire eight-year career with the Saints. However, he was dismissed by New Orleans after four seasons of injuries. Knox believes Thomas can serve as a “functional replacement” for former No. 3 receiver Michael Gallup.
The Cowboys released Gallup after he failed to deliver despite receiving a five-year, $62.5 million contract prior to the start of the 2022 season. “At worst, Thomas should be a functional replacement for Gallup as WR3,” Knox points out. “If he could regain some of his previous form, he could be so much more. Adding him would be a boom-or-bust risk, but Dallas doesn’t have many other options, barring a trade.
Michael Thomas Broke NFL Receptions Record in 2019
Prior to suffering a number of injuries over the past few seasons — Thomas has been limited to just 20 of 67 games over the past four seasons — the former Offensive Player of the Year was arguably the best receiver in the league during a three-year time frame that saw him catch at least 100 balls with at least 1,200 receiving yards between 2017 and 2019. To top it all off, Thomas broke an NFL record during the 2019 season when he posted 149 receptions.
Between 2017 and 2019, Thomas led the NFL in receptions twice, was selected a First-team All-Pro twice, and made the Pro Bowl all three years. Furthermore, he has 378 receptions during that three-year period, 65 more than the second-best receiver, DeAndre Hopkins.
Why Cowboys Should Consider Signing Michael Thomas
While it’s been a long time since Thomas played like an elite receiver, he showed he still has some gas left in the tank as a possession receiver when he posted a solid stat line of 39 receptions for 448 receiving yards in 10 games as the No. 2 option for the Saints last season.
Considering the Cowboys are lacking in established options beyond CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, bringing in Thomas can’t possibly hurt. Knox also argues that since Thomas’ cap hit is $11.2 million for the Saints this season — that’s not even mentioning the $100 million contract extension he signed with New Orleans prior to 2019 — and when also factoring in his “down” years with the Saints, he could be signed to a bargain deal.
“Thomas is still carrying a $11.2 million dead-cap hit for the Saints, which could help offset his contract demands to a degree,” according to Knox. “His value has also plummeted following a string of disappointing seasons with the Saints.
Knox speculates that Thomas would settle for a $2-to-$3 million contract at this point in his career. “Once among the league’s highest-paid skill players, Thomas will now have to settle for a ‘prove-it’ contract,” wrote Knox. “A one-year deal in the $2-3 million range with incentives would likely allow the Cowboys to gamble on the former Offensive Player of the Year.” Given the lack of risk in signing Thomas to such a contract, the Cowboys should seriously consider the former record-breaking receiver before training camp begins.
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