Week 8 vs. Green Bay
Peyton Manning threw for 290 yards in the most recent win two weeks ago at Cleveland. On 17 targets, Demaryius Thomas finished with 10 grabs and 111 yards, but could’ve had more if it weren’t for a couple easy drops. The targets and receptions were a season high and it was his second 100-yard game of the year. With the struggles of Manning, Thomas has only one TD compared to three by fellow WR Emmanuel Sanders. The Packers have been pretty good at stopping the pass, however, be sure to insert Demaryius back into your starting lineup after the bye week.
Week 6 at Cleveland
Emmanuel Sanders led the Broncos with 12 targets and nine catches last week in Oakland. In the win, Demaryius Thomas was held to 55 yards on five grabs – his lowest reception total and yardage of the season. While he has been over the century mark only once and scored just one TD in 2015, Thomas is a threat for a big outing each week, despite the woes of the Denver offense. Keep starting him with confidence as Cleveland’s defense hasn’t been able to slow down any opponent.
Week 5 at Oakland
In the win over Minnesota last Sunday, Demaryius Thomas led the team with nine grabs for 93 yards. He was targeted 12 times, more than twice as much as any other Bronco, and his nine receptions were three times the amount Emmanuel Sanders recorded. D.T. even left the game for a while with a neck injury, but returned to action and will be fine this week. Thomas has at least seven catches in every game this season and is averaging 90 yards per outing. There’s no question he’s remaining in your starting lineup.
Week 4 vs. Minnesota
Demaryius Thomas made a great leaping grab on a fourth-and-one play just before the half last week and took it the distance for a 45-yard touchdown – his first of the season. Thomas was targeted 13 times by Peyton Manning, leading to nine catches for 92 yards. With Peyton in the pistol, he definitely looked more comfortable. Look for Manning to remain in that formation moving forward, leading to a consistent amount of looks to D.T. Demaryius is a must-start every week.
Week 3 at Detroit
In the comeback win over the Chiefs last Thursday, Demaryius Thomas helped turn around the Denver passing game, finishing with eight grabs for 116 yards. He and Emmanuel Sanders were both targeted 14 times, as Peyton Manning definitely looked more comfortable in the shotgun. In the first two games of the season, Thomas has 15 grabs for 176 yards and is a must-start in every format.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City
Peyton Manning threw for only 175 yards in the season opener against the Ravens on Sunday. Demaryius Thomas saw 11 of those targets and finished with seven grabs for 60 yards, with a long of 11. Thomas hurt his hand, however, and received X-rays earlier this week, but will be good to go on Thursday. Demaryius scored a TD in each of the games versus the Chiefs last year and should be started in all leagues, despite the struggles of Manning in Week 1.
Week 1 vs. Baltimore
Demaryius Thomas averaged over 100 yards per game last season and hopes to get things going at home in the opener against the Ravens. After signing a new contract making him one of the highest-paid WRs, look for Peyton Manning to continue to look for No. 88. Thomas has scored 25 total touchdowns over the past two seasons and has a good chance to start the year with a touchdown after leading the league with 23 end zone targets in 2014.
Fantasy Upside
Coming off of another huge season, Demaryius Thomas was recently rewarded with a five-year contract extension. Over the past three years with Peyton Manning as his QB, D.T. has been over 1,400 yards every time and has averaged 99 receptions for just under 1,500 yards and 12 TDs during that span. Thomas has the most 100-yard games in the NFL since 2012 with 25 - two more than second place Calvin Johnson and six more than third place T.Y. Hilton. He's also one of only two receivers, along with Johnson, to post over 4,000 receiving yards since ‘12. Demaryius has not missed a game the past three seasons.
Fantasy Downside
There’s not a lot to be concerned about with No. 88. Manning is a year older and Denver looking to run the ball a bit more with HC Gary Kubiak, you’ve got to assume that reaching 111 receptions for over 1,600 yards like he did last season will be tough to achieve. However, Thomas is still the Broncos No. 1 weapon in the passing game.
Bottom Line
With Julius Thomas now in Jacksonville, look for Demaryius and Emmanuel Sanders to receive at least as many targets as they had in 2014. After signing the contract that will keep him in a Bronco uniform for at least the next five seasons, you can bet there won’t be any distractions for D.T. Thomas, who is third in our WR rankings and is being projected to again register over 100 catches and over 1,500 yards – so just another average season since Manning has been his QB.
Divisional Round – Demaryius Thomas vs. Indianapolis Colts
For the tenth time this season, Demaryius Thomas eclipsed the century mark in the win over Oakland two weeks ago. Demaryius set the franchise record with 1,619 receiving yards and scored 11 times in ’14. Even with the Broncos using more of a balanced attack, Thomas hasn’t slowed down. While he was held to four grabs for 48 yards in the Week 1 win over Indy, he is a great option this week.
Week 17 – Demaryius Thomas vs. Oakland Raiders
With the Broncos in comeback mode last Monday against the Bengals, Demaryius Thomas posted his ninth 100-yard game of ’14. On 14 targets from Peyton Manning, he registered seven receptions for 115 yards. Demaryuis is over 1,500 yards on the season and continues to be a huge weapon in the Denver passing attack. In Week 10 versus the Raiders, Manning threw for 340 yards and five scores, with Thomas finishing with 11 grabs for 108 yards. There’s no doubt you’re going to continue starting him.
