Michael Thomas, WR Ohio State
Height: 6′ 2 3/8”
Weight: 212 lbs
Hands: 10 1/2’’
Arm: 32 ⅛’’
40 yard dash: 4.57 (Combine)
NFL Comparison: Marvin Jones, Jordan Matthews

 

Scouting Notes: Depending on who you talk to, Michael Thomas is either the most overrated WR in the draft or the most underrated. I think he’s somewhere in between. More a pure athlete than a technician, Thomas still exhibits most of the intangibles you like in a premier receiver — he’s tall, well-built, and deceptively fast after the catch. He’s been more of a possession WR throughout his college career, but he’s got the goods and the twitch to be a big playmaker as well. Thomas’ interesting footwork is either a plus or negative — sometimes both in the same play. Each step into his break is defined and deliberate in an effort to throw off defenders, which he often does with adroit double-moves. When he makes a CB bite, the guy bites big — leaving Thomas absurdly open. Sometimes, this plays to his disadvantage, and he spends precious time “dancing” instead of just playing football. Thomas has excellent hands and rarely drops a pass that is delivered within his catch-radius. Thomas initially had trouble picking up the play book at OSU per sources. I’m not sure whether this had more to do with his ability to learn the plays as it did with him trying to perfect a route before he learned another. Either way, it’s one of the easiest offenses to learn in Columbus, so he’s going to have to be quicker on the uptake to stay on the field in the NFL. A solid if not dedicated blocker, Thomas is strong enough to hold of defenders — though he doesn’t always show the effort required to. I’d like to see Thomas show more explosion and high point the ball more on contested throws in the next level, too.

Fantasy Outlook: Thomas won’t drop past the 2nd round. He might even go in the first depending on the flow of the draft. It’s most likely he’ll be drafted to fill a team’s WR1 need, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he settles in as someone’s possession type WR2. He could easily end up doing either, as he can fit either role. This is why I liken him to Marvin Jones, who was a WR2 in Cincy but has been acquired by Detroit to be their primary big play WR. Thomas is a boom-or-bust big man who can be extremely productive in the NFL if he can get the playbook down while still focusing on playing football rather than thinking all the time. He’s worth a mid-to-late first-round pick in dynasty rookie formats pre-NFL draft until it is seen what situation he falls to.

QUOTES FROM THE COMBINE

What in practice, why success?

The coach of the program, the coaches, everybody bought in, we grinded so I’m just reaping the benefits now.

14 Ohio State players here? Does it hurt to have so many?

No, we’re still going to compete when we’re around other guys and Ohio State is going to continue to have talent year-in and year-out.

Have NFL teams asked about numbers not being high?

They just watched the film, they wanted to know if I’m going hard every play and doing my job.

What will stand out to teams?

My route-running ability, my competitiveness, my hands.

Do you feel you know what the NFL is about?

Yes sir, I trust my coaches and my teammates. I was running against a tremendous defense every day in practice and my coaches I think they’re going to help me transition to the next level.

Leaving Ohio State?

It was really difficult, with those many games there, winning was fun. I love coach Meyer I just had to make a decision. I wanted to win another national championship also.

What was your specific plan?

I just had the mindset, I learned from my uncle and he set the bar real high, coach Meyer he doesn’t recruit guys who aren’t going to come in and play and that are going to contribute. I had a plan I wanted to stick to it and that’s what I did.

What did you learn during redshirt year?

A lot, self-discipline, self respect and I developed a tremendous work ethic.

Are you trying to learn specific routes you didn’t run at Ohio State?

Routes are routes, get out of your breaks as fast as you can and create separation. I feel like I’ve got that,
I feel like I showed that on my routes.