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Sunday Debate: New Orleans Saints Michael Thomas Sleeper Offensive Rookie of the Year

By Brendan Pignataro

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Michael Thomas (3) celebrates with offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Michael Thomas (3) celebrates with offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brendan Pignataro and Mark Morales-Smith will be debating a different topic each Sunday. This week will feature an interesting rookie question. Who will be a sleeper offensive rookie of the year candidate in 2016?

Between now and the opening night of the NFL on September 8th, fans will be inundated with predictions for the upcoming season. One of the most popular notions will be Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot capturing offensive rookie of the year honors.

That could very well come true, but Mark and I are hear to argue some sleeper candidates for this award. I have chosen New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, while Mark will inevitably put a hex on his choice of New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard.

Related Story: Sterling Shepard Sleeper Offensive Rookie of the Year

It may not happen early, but by mid season I fully expect Thomas to become a household name for NFL fans. He wasn’t the first overall pick like his uncle Keyshawn Johnson, but he was still talented enough to be selected in the second round of a stacked class of wide receivers. Over the last two seasons at Ohio State, Thomas average 790 yards, 14.35 yards per catch and nine touchdowns. Luckily for him, he landed in a tremendous situation in the NFL. Despite getting a little long in the tooth, his new quarterback Drew Brees was still in the top four in completions and attempts in 2015.

There will be no shortage of opportunities for Thomas in this Saints offense. Brandin Cooks is the clear number one receiver, but Thomas will could earn Brees’ trust quickly to become the number two guy. He has the size (6’3″, 209 lbs) that Cooks and last year’s surprise receiver Willie Snead do not have. I see Thomas becoming a red zone favorite of Brees sooner than later. Thomas will essentially be taking the role of Marques Colston, released by the Saints this offseason. He is prepared for the task, coming from the highly competitive system at Ohio State University.

Thomas already has received a glowing compliment from his future hall of fame quarterback. Brees told Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com, “After practice ends, we are getting a lot of extra reps together, where it is just us two, focusing in on a certain concept or split or footwork or look. You can tell it is all starting to register. Once he picks it up, he gets it.” It seems like this kid has a lot of heart in him, which should more than make up for his lack of top flight speed.

The Saints lost a big red zone target when Ben Watson left in free agency for the Ravens. They replaced him at tight end with Coby Fleener. I like Fleener as a guy to move the chains for the Saints, but he is not the red zone beast Watson is. In his four year career in Indianapolis, Fleener only had one season of five touchdowns or more. You can expect Thomas to get pick up a lot of Watons’ looks in big situations. In addition, just like Colston before him, Thomas will get an opportunities to move around and get some targets out of the slot. He could very well lead all offensive rookies in touchdowns this season.

Just like Thomas in New Orleans, I actually agree with Mark that Shepard is in store for a promising rookie season in New York. However, I don’t foresee him getting as many opportunities to score as Thomas will. He will be further down the pecking order when it comes to red zone targets. Odell Beckham, Will Tye, Larry Donnell and even Victor Cruz if he can stay on the field will eat up most of those opportunities. Shepard is quicker than Thomas, but his small frame will make him struggle at times against press coverage and will have problems winning jump balls with a small catch radius.

For fantasy football purposes, both Thomas and Shepard could be very valuable this year. I project Thomas to come in around 875 yards and eight touchdowns, with Shepard close behind around 825 yards and five touchdowns. Readers can congratulate Mark on picking a decent choice for once in Shepard, but for now he can go back into hiding until next Sunday.

Please check out Mark’s opposing article, and feel free to join in on the debate in the comments!

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