Denver Broncos: Is Demaryius Thomas Hall of Fame-Bound?

Could Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas be mentioned in the same breath with the likes of Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, and Michael Irvin? By comparison, the answer is yes.

If you were to list the top-ten wide receivers in the NFL, would Demaryius Thomas be included? Thomas is coming off a solid season but perhaps not his best. In the midst of the Denver Broncos season, the offense took a serious blow with a mid-season injury to Peyton Manning, who was then replaced by back-up quarterback, Brock Osweiler.

The unfamiliarity between a backup quarterback and his wide receivers certainly had its trying times as the offense went through its ups-and-downs, especially in the passing game.

Throughout all of the offensive drama, Thomas remained an elite receiver, finishing the 2015 campaign 105 receptions for 1,304 receiving yards and six touchdowns – although proving to be his lowest totals in all three categories since 2011.

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However, 2016 should be a revitalized year for unquestioned number one receiver. Having a quarterback that will (hopefully) remain the starter for all 16 games and a tweak to the running game should do the receiver well.

Translation: back on track to his previous Pro-Bowl numbers from 2012-2014.

Thomas is not the type of receiver to open his mouth and demand the ball more and had not complained about inconsistent play throughout the season, nor about fellow standout wide receiver on the other side of the ball, Emmanuel Sanders.

Inconsistencies and injuries to a quarterback can plague any receiver, and severely disrupt the rhythm they have with a quarterback – just ask Dez Bryant.

Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Let’s address the question being asked about a place that resides in Canton, Ohio – the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Since Thomas entered the league in 2010 he has put up numbers that have led him to a career trajectory worthy of Hall of Fame consideration (if of course, he keeps it up), so is Thomas on his way to being a Hall of Famer?

I have compiled a list of five current and/or soon-to-be Hall of Fame wide receivers and what their numbers were following their fifth year in the league.

Time to crunch the numbers. Let’s get started, shall we?

In Demaryius Thomas’ first five years, 2010-2015, (69 games overall) Thomas had:
Receptions – 351
Yards – 5,317
Touchdowns – 41

Now let’s Compare Thomas’ first five years to these notable five wide receivers (you may have heard of them):

Jerry Rice – 1985-1989
Receptions – 346
Yards- 6,710
Touchdowns – 66 (including 22 in ’87)

Michael Irvin – 1988-1992
Receptions – 249
Yards – 4,364
Touchdowns – 27

Randy Moss (future) – 1998-2002
Receptions – 414
Yards – 6,743
Touchdowns – 60

Marvin Harrison – 1996-2000
Receptions – 413
Yards – 5,544
Touchdowns – 47

Calvin Johnson (future) – 2007-2011
Receptions – 96
Yards – 5,872
Touchdowns – 49

Out of all of these receivers, Thomas’ numbers are comparable. Thomas sweeps Michael Irvin in all three major categories, and being within just six touchdowns to Harrison, and eight touchdowns to Johnson (Jerry Rice is in another universe).

Of course, all of these receivers careers averaged over 10 years (except Johnson, who has unfortunately retired after just nine full seasons). If Thomas wants to remain on this extremely exclusive and historic list of wide receiver infamy, he has a long way to go.

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If Thomas can keep up his numbers and remain an elite number one wide receiver for this elite Broncos team for at least five-seven more seasons, then discussing his Hall of Fame candidacy will be a much easier topic for discussion – especially if he performs exceptionally well in the playoffs, and the Broncos bring home another Super Bowl title to Mile High.

Thomas possesses a positive outlook and a positive attitude which greatly helps him each year (and how can it now after just winning the Super Bowl?). He has all of the tools to command opposing defenses and secondaries.

As long as he keeps focused on the prize, one day we will be watching him stand amongst the greats with his own plaque, being inducted into Canton.

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