Next season, one of the best wide receivers in New Orleans Saints history most likely will have a new residence. Given the Saints’ struggles to stay under the salary cap, Michael Thomas is almost certain to sign with a different team. Thomas was one of the best receivers in the game at his peak, appearing in three Pro Bowls from 2017 to 2019 and being selected to the First Team All-Pro twice.
Michael Thomas has unfortunately suffered a great deal from the injury gods. The wide receiver’s apparently never-ending run of ailments over the previous four seasons began when he suffered an ankle injury in the opening week of the 2020 campaign. The former second-round pick only caught 39 passes for 448 yards and one touchdown in 10 games last season. Even though Michael Thomas is still a respectable player, neither his cap hit nor his off-field Twitter tirades are worth it.
But it doesn’t mean no one will want Michael Thomas as a free agent if he doesn’t end up as a Saint. The Baltimore Ravens are considering signing Thomas, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who cites the team’s appreciation for experienced wide receivers.
The Baltimore Ravens intend to sign Michael Thomas, a free agent.
On paper, this seems like a strange fit. Michael Thomas, as previously said, is no longer in the elite class, so the free agent will most likely come at a low cost. This is advantageous because Baltimore won’t have a lot of spending cash in 2024. The Ravens most likely won’t have the money to re-sign their players and sign elite players in free agency because they have a number of important free agents.
However, the Ravens ought to be expecting a free agent who is superior to Michael Thomas. He is not the same performer he once was, despite the fact that he was mainly healthy last season. The two-time All-Pro’s health has taken a toll, and these days Thomas is just a league-average receiver who is prone to injuries.
With Zay Flowers on the team, even if he manages to remain healthy, his skill set is a touch redundant. Flowers and Thomas are both crafty receivers who get open fast and deal the most of their damage in the short and intermediate areas of the field, however, each player is special in their own way. In the event that the Ravens decide to pursue a free agency receiver, they ought to consider someone whose skill set differs from Michael Thomas’.
What Does Odell Beckham Experiece?
In essence, the Ravens are selecting free agent Michael Thomas over Odell Beckham, per Fowler’s report. Similar to Thomas, Beckham has struggled with injuries in recent years and isn’t quite as unstoppable as he once was. But although Thomas struggled towards the end, Beckham got better as he got more playing time.
Even though he had a somewhat poor start, Beckham really picked up the last few games. The veteran concluded the season with 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns, the bulk of which came later in the season, while failing to justify his absurd contract.
More than anything, Baltimore’s desire to save money is the reason behind Beckham’s potential larger free agent market than Michael Thomas’s. If both players sign comparable contracts, though, the Ravens’ choice is unexpected.
