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Michael Thomas 2022 NFL Draft replacement options for the Saints

By Michael Johnson

Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints high fives fans after the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans defeats Tennessee 38-28. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints high fives fans after the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans defeats Tennessee 38-28. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks #16 of the Arkansas Razorbacks catches a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 26, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 34-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints replacement options for Michael Thomas

2. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Getting a player who can make plays after the catch is something Sea Peyton’s offense need. A player like Treylon Burks is the ideal prospect to replace Michael Thomas. He doesn’t have elite speed or acceleration to separate down the field.

What Burks has is a bulky 6-3 230-pound frame that allows him to shield and box out defenders. He can work outside as a downfield threat that works the boundary where he can use his leaping ability and size to his advantage.

As a Razorback, he averaged 16 yards per catch on 67 catches for 1,123-yards and 11 touchdowns. He did a lot of work downfield, but he’s dangerous after the catch. Burks uses his size to punish defenders. He has some twitch to his game that helps him set up defenders when he’s not running through them. If Hill is the quarterback going forward, Burks is an excellent hot route of RPOs.

Burks is plug-and-play as a big slot where he played the majority of the time at Arkansas. If the Saints want to be creative, they can play him at running back. The Razorbacks allowed him to carry the ball 14 times for 112-yards and two scores. Burks understands where to sit in zones and spacing.

Teams with an innovative offense will love Burks. His size, football IQ, and after-the-catch ability make Burks a Top 20 prospect the Saints can use to replace Michael Thomas.

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