Fantasy Upside
In the run-first approach of Gary Kubiak's offense, Demaryius Thomas still posted 90 receptions last year –- his lowest total since the Tim Tebow era. For the fifth straight season, No. 88 eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. During those past five seasons, he has not missed a game and has averaged 98 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. Now that Mike McCoy is back as the offensive coordinator in Denver, expect the offense to let whoever is the QB air it out a bit more.
Fantasy Downside
Despite seeing 321 targets the past two seasons, Thomas has totaled only 11 touchdowns. His 12.0 yards per reception last season was a career-low. He’s been criticized for dropped passes during his career and was among the league leaders with seven of them in 2016.
2017 Bottom Line
Thomas is still an elite WR and should receive more action this season, regardless who Denver plays at QB. Expect the Broncos offense to be more exciting this season, which will help all of the pass-catchers. Thomas is ranked as our No. 16 WR and will likely be drafted by the third round. He should again easily post another 1,000-yard season.
Week 17 vs. Oakland
Last Sunday night in Kansas City, Demaryius Thomas was held to just three grabs for 20 yards on eight targets. With virtually no rushing attack, Trevor Siemian was forced to throw the ball 43 times, but for only 183 yards. The Raiders limited D.T. to five receptions for 56 yards in Week 9.
Week 16 at Kansas City
Once again the Denver rushing game was having trouble producing last Sunday against New England, so Trevor Siemian threw the ball 40 times for 282 yards. Demaryius Thomas led the club with 11 targets, seven grabs and 91 yards, but he has been held out of the end zone in four straight. Even with the offense having its share of problems, Demaryius continues to get his looks, as he’s registered double digit targets in eight of the past nine contests. Against the Chiefs in late November, Demaryius finished with five grabs for 60 yards and makes for a WR2 option on Christmas night.
Week 15 vs. New England
With Trevor Siemian heaving the ball 51 times in the loss at Tennessee last Sunday, Demaryius Thomas recorded season highs in targets (16), receptions (10) and yards (126). It was just his second 100-yard game of the season, but it showed that Demaryius can still post solid numbers. Siemian and the Broncos will be facing the No. 15 pass defense in the Patriots this week, so go ahead and keep on starting Thomas.
Week 14 at Tennessee
Paxton Lynch completed only 12 passes in the win over the Jaguars last Sunday, with Demaryius Thomas accounting for half of the completions for 61 yards. It appears that Trevor Siemian will be back at QB this week, which is much better news for Thomas’ owners. Consider him a WR2 play at Tennessee.
Week 13 at Jacksonville
With Trevor Siemian throwing for a career-high 368 yards last Sunday night, Demaryius Thomas finished with five catches for 60 yards. He was shadowed by Marcus Peters for much of the game, which definitely had an impact on his numbers. Demaryius has caught at least five passes in every contest except the season opener and is averaging nearly 70 yards per outing. Even though the Jacksonville secondary is solid, Thomas should remain in your starting lineup.
Week 12 vs. Kansas City
Two weeks ago at New Orleans, Demaryius Thomas lit up the Saints secondary for eight grabs, 87 yards and his fifth score of the season. Despite just the one 100-yard game in ’16, he has been targeted double-digits in five straight and has had at least five grabs in every contest except the opener. Kansas City’s pass defense ranks No. 16, so you’ve got to re-insert Thomas back in to your starting lineup.
Week 10 at New Orleans
Even though Trevor Siemian threw for 283 yards last Sunday night at Oakland, Demaryius Thomas collected five grabs for just 56 yards. Demaryius continues to receive looks from Trevor Siemian, as he’s been targeted 10 times in each of the past four weeks, but has scored only once during that span and has one 100-yard game on the season. Thomas should remain in your starting lineup, as he has a great matchup versus the worst defense versus the pass in the Saints.
Week 9 at Oakland
In the win over San Diego last Sunday, Demaryius Thomas was targeted 10 times, resulting in five grabs for 79 yards. He has been held out of the end zone in two of the past three games, but has been targeted exactly 10 times in each contest during that span. With the Broncos struggling to move the ball on the ground, Thomas should absolutely remain in your starting lineup, especially facing an Oakland secondary that yields 285 passing yards per game.
Week 8 vs. San Diego
Trevor Siemian only threw 25 passes last Monday against the Texans, with a team-high 10 of those going in the direction of Demaryius Thomas, as the WR finished with six grabs for 40 yards and his fourth TD of the season. At San Diego just two weeks ago, Thomas finished with five grabs for only 35 yards. Denver will look to establish the run game again at home, but Demaryius is too good of a weapon to be left on your bench.
