The Kansas City Chiefs are 6-0 despite offensive struggles. They have been decimated by key injuries, including the injury to top wide receiver Rashee Rice. The team traded for DeAndre Hopkins to help cover for the loss of Rice, but they could add another impact player as well.
While outlining free-agent receivers the Chiefs could sign, FanSided’s Shawn O’Brate urged the Chiefs to take a chance on Michael Thomas.
“This might be one of the more improbable free agents to bring in because of his age (31-going-on-32), injury history, and lack of familiarity with the team. However, Michael Thomas would come in as one of the largest receivers in a Chiefs uniform at 6’3″, 212 lbs,” wrote O’Brate. “Those 50-50 balls that Mahomes would love to throw to Smith-Schuster or even a few of his bigger tight ends could go to Thomas over the middle or up the sideline, preserving some of the other Chiefs for the playoffs.”
At his best, Thomas was one of the best receivers in the National Football League. However, it has been quite some time since he has been that player. He won Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 when he had 1,725 yards and 149 catches.
“Unlike the other free agents on this list, Thomas’ best days are quite a few years behind him with his last full season coming in 2019 when he won Offensive Player of the Year,” wrote O’Brate. “That year he caught 149 balls for 1,725 yards and 9 touchdowns before injuries would detour his Hall of Fame trajectory from continuing down the same road.”
While Thomas isn’t in his prime anymore, Andy Reid has a track record of taking a chance on players who look like they have passed their prime. Just this season, the team signed Kareem Hunt off of the street and he has taken over as the lead back in Isiah Pacheco’s absence.
“Since then he’s played just 20 games in four seasons, catching 95 passes for just over 1,050 yards,” wrote O’Brate. “But Thomas is still looking for a team after eight years in New Orleans. If anybody can find a fit for an aging player looking for a solid one-year, “show me” deal it’s Andy Reid.”
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