Week 18 vs Green Bay
Pierre Thomas had eight touches last week, including seven rushes for 30 yards and just one catch. It was the opposite from Week 16 when Thomas had a 7-67-0 receiving line against the Eagles. Thomas should be back to being more involved in the passing game this week against the Packers in what isn't a great matchup. But if your playoff league is a deeper PPR one, Thomas could make an impact, however he likely only sees about 8-12 touches.
Week 9 vs. Atlanta
With the top three running backs on the depth chart banged up, Thomas could get some work despite signing this week. Don't expect big things, however, as Blaine Gabbert will add nothing to the equation at quarterback. It might be time to punt on all of your 49ers.
Week 16: Thomas vs. Falcons
Pierre Thomas caught five passes for 83 yards and rushed two times for 11 additional yards in the Saints’ Week 15 win over the Bears. He continues to be the primary pass-catcher out of the Saints’ backfield and was used heavily in the screen game against Chicago on Monday night. He has a great matchup versus an Atlanta defense that is banged up in the secondary and talent-starved at linebacker. Thomas ranks as our No. 25 overall RB for Week 16 and should be viewed as a risky but decent FLEX option.
Week 15: Thomas vs. Bears
Pierre Thomas rushed five times for 38 yards and added four catches for an additional 14 yards in the Saints’ Week 14 loss to the Panthers. New Orleans fell behind early but Thomas only had a marginal impact in the passing game. Thomas doesn’t have the same appeal in PPR leagues that he used to but he’ll be a flex option against a brutal Chicago defense in Week 15. Thomas is ranked as our No. 31 RB in standard and No. 23 RB in PPR formats for this week.
Week 14: Thomas vs. Panthers
Pierre Thomas rushed three times for 21 yards and caught two passes for 16 yards in the Saints’ Week 13 win over the Steelers. The most telling statistic to come out of the game was that Thomas was out-touched 24-5 by Mark Ingram. While he still has some value in PPR leagues, view Thomas as a flex option only for Sunday’s game versus the Panthers. He ranks as our No. 29 overall RB in PPR formats for Week 14.
Week 13: Thomas vs. Steelers
In his return from a four-game absence due to a shoulder injury, Pierre Thomas rushed for 19 yards on five carries in the Saints' Week 12 loss to the Ravens. He also added six catches for 37 yards in the loss as he and Mark Ingram split touches evenly at 11-11. It's notable that Ingram got a lot of work inside the red zone but Sean Payton loves to play the matchups so this doesn't mean Thomas will be relegated to work only between the 20s. He has some value as a FLEX in PPR formats and ranks as our No. 27 overall back in PPR leagues for Week 13.
Week 7: Ingram vs. Lions
Pierre Thomas caught eight-of-10 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown while also rushing four times for 35 yards and an addition score in the Saints’ Week 5 win over the Bucs. After Jimmy Graham left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury, Thomas and Khiry Robinson took over the game. The problem is that Thomas had just 195 total yards in his previous four games and with Mark Ingram returning this Sunday from a hand injury, it’s hard to trust Thomas as anything more than a weekly flex option. He’s our No. 33 overall RB in standard and our No. 24 overall RB in PPR formats for Week 7.
Week 5: Thomas vs. Bucs
It's time to start adjusting expectations for Pierre Thomas. He caught just two passes for 15 yards while adding two carries for eight yards in the Saints' Week 4 loss to the Cowboys. We've maintained for weeks that he was the team's best receiving option, but Sean Payton used Travaris Cadet as his primary passing down back last week, as Thomas received just four touches. Showing signs of decline as he approaches the age of 30, Thomas is merely a flex option in PPR leagues. He ranks as our No. 33 overall back in Week 5.
Week 4: Thomas vs. Cowboys
Pierre Thomas rushed eight times for 30 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' Week 3 win over the Vikings. He also added three catches for 21 yards and continues to be the team's primary passing option out of the backfield. While he did draw the Saints' lone goal line carry, that was an aberration after New Orleans quick-snapped Minnesota following a Thomas reception that set the team up at the Vikings' 1-yard line. It's not an indication that Thomas will receive goal line work with Mark Ingram out with a hand injury. While he's merely a flex play in standard formats, Thomas continues to be a solid RB2 in PPR leagues. He ranks as our No. 15 overall RB in PPR formats for Week 4.
Week 3: Thomas vs. Vikings
Pierre Thomas rushed for just 16 yards on three carries and caught three passes for 16 yards in the Saints' Week 2 loss to the Browns. Sean Payton decided to pound the ball on the ground with Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson, which limited Thomas' production. But with Ingram out with a broken hand, Thomas' touches should pick back up at home against the Vikings. We realize Thomas owners are frustrated by his output the first two weeks of the season but he still makes for a solid RB2 in PPR leagues. He ranks as our No. 14 overall RB for Week 3 in PPR formats and 22nd in standard leagues.
