NFL wide receivers that should have been league MVP: 10. Michael Thomas, 2019
Michael Thomas was missing this entire season, and he had an injury-plagued season in 2020, but his season in 2019 was something for the record books. He broke the record for most receptions in a season with 149. He led the league with 1,725 yards as he helped Drew Brees with another great season.
Some might just say that the Saints do nothing but throw the ball, and that’s why Thomas was able to break the record. That is false, especially in 2019. Thomas was able to make the best of every game he was in.
What makes this season even better is it wasn’t even all Drew Brees. Brees was only able to play for 11 games because of injuries. The Saints went undefeated with Teddy Bridgewater under center. We don’t want to take all of the credit away from Bridgewater, but it really was Michael Thomas who made the transition incredibly easy. He could catch anything that was even remotely close to him.
On top of Brees’ injury, Alvin Kamara missed part of the season, too. He was largely ineffective and finished the season with under 800 yards rushing. So, to recap, the Saints lost its starting quarterback, its star running back wasn’t his usual self, yet the Saints still won 13 games and finished second in the NFC in points scored. Thomas deserved this award, but somehow the voters made it unanimous that season for Lamar Jackson. Get out of here.