Wild Card Round vs. Carolina Panthers
Michael Thomas caught 6-of-8 targets for 94 yards in the Saints’ Week 17 loss to the Bucs. A year after finishing as fantasy’s No. 9 WR, Thomas caught 104 passes for 1,245 yards to finish as the No. 8 fantasy WR in 2017. He caught four fewer touchdowns but he finished with more targets (104 to 92) and more yards (1,245 to 1,137). The sophomore is entrenched as the Saints’ top passing-game target and is our No. 1 ranked WR for Wild Card weekend. Get him in your lineup for Sunday when the Saints host a Panthers defense ranked 31st against fantasy receivers.
Week 17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Thomas caught 4-of-5 targets for 66 yards in the Saints’ Week 16 win over the Falcons. He caught a 24-yard pass late in the third quarter on an outstanding throw by Drew Brees but was otherwise quiet. Thomas should have a bigger game on Sunday when the Saints visit the Bucs. New Orleans has to beat Tampa to win the NFC South and the Bucs rank 25th against fantasy receivers this season. In a great matchup, Thomas is our No. 2 ranked WR for Week 17 and should be in all of your lineups.
Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Michael Thomas tore up the stat sheet in Week 15, catching 9-of-11 targets for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' victory over the Jets. He nearly caught another touchdown in the second half but was ruled out of bounds in the back of the end zone. He caught 4 passes for 50 yards on one drive and his touchdown essentially ended the game with the Jets making a valiant comeback effort.
The Saints will host the Falcons on Sunday in what is a pivotal matchup in the NFC South. Atlanta has a pair of solid corners in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, but the Falcons rank 16th against fantasy receivers this season. Thomas is also coming off a 10-117-1 performance versus the Falcons in Atlanta two weeks ago so he's a must-start this week. In fact, he's our No. 2 ranked fantasy receiver for Week 16.
Week 15 vs. New York Jets
Michael Thomas caught 10-of-14 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' Week 14 loss to the Falcons. The catches and targets were season-highs for Thomas, who also matched his season-high for yards. He did tweak his left foot and got his eye poked by cornerback Desmond Trufant, but he returned to the game after missing just a few plays.
The Saints will host the Jets on Sunday. The Jets rank 28th against fantasy receivers this season so Thomas is a must-start. He ranks as our No. 4 WR for Week 15 and is a bona fide WR1 for Sunday.
Week 14 at Atlanta Falcons
Michael Thomas caught 5-of-9 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' Week 13 win over the Panthers. The touchdown was his first since Week 4 and while he hasn't lived up to his lofty second-year expectations, Thomas has been consistent. Ranked as our No. 5 WR for Week 14, make sure he's in your lineup for Thursday night when the Saints visit the Falcons. Atlanta will have cornerbacks Desmond Trufant (concussion) and Brian Poole (back) back, but Thomas is matchup-proof.
Week 13 vs. Carolina Panthers
Michael Thoams caught 5-of-8 targets for 52 yards in the Saints' Week 12 loss to the Rams. Outside of dynamic rookie Alvin Kamara, New Orleans couldn't generate much offense against the Rams' stingy defense. What was strange is that Drew Brees targeted Ted Ginn 11 times, but even though he was quiet, Thomas is still averaging 73 yards per week this season.
On Sunday, the Saints host the Panthers. Carolina has a stout defense but the Panthers rank 26th against fantasy receivers this year, so it's a nice matchup for Thomas. Ranked as our No. 7 WR for Week 13, Thomas is a WR1 this Sunday.
Week 12 at Los Angeles Rams
Michael Thomas caught 6-of-11 targets for 91 yards in the Saints' Week 11 win over Washington. Thomas has been consistent all season long for fantasy owners but he has yet to have that breakout game. With only 2 touchdowns this season, Thomas is bound to break out sooner rather than later. Ranked as our No. 4 WR for Week 12, make sure he's in your lineup when the Saints visit the Rams on Sunday.
Week 11 vs. Washington
Michael Thomas caught 9-of-10 targets for 117 yards in the Saints' Week 10 win over the Bills. Considering Drew Brees only attempted 5 pass attempts in the second half because the Saints got up big, it was a nice day for Thomas owners. He has yet to have that one big, signature game but continues to be a quality WR1 nonetheless.
On Sunday, Thomas will face a Washington defense ranked seventh against fantasy receivers this season. Despite the possibility of facing off against Josh Norman, Thomas ranks as our No. 2 WR and should be started in all formats.
Week 10 at Buffalo Bills
Michael Thomas caught 8-of-11 targets for 65 yards in the Saints’ Week 9 win over the Bucs. He led the team in receptions and targets, although the touchdowns went to Alvin Kamara and Ted Ginn. He had a 24-yard catch in the third quarter but the rest of the 41 yards came on his other 7 receptions.
Thomas now has 7+ receptions in five of his last six games but the touchdown and yardage numbers aren’t there. He’s also dealing with an ankle injury that limited him in practice this week. Still, he should play on Sunday when the Saints travel to Buffalo.
A big game should be coming. It might not come this Sunday, however, as New Orleans takes on a Buffalo defense ranked 11th against fantasy receivers this season. Ranked as our No. 5 WR, view Thomas a must-start this weekend.
Week 9 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Michael Thomas caught 7-of-8 passes for 77 yards in the Saints' Week 8 win over the Bears. He led the Saints in receiving, although his production was hampered when New Orleans started to eat clock in the second half. Thomas now has over 70 yards receiving in five-of-seven games.
Thomas has a great matchup on Sunday when the Saints host the Bucs. Tampa Bay ranks dead-last against fantasy receivers this season and has zero pass rush, so Drew Brees should light up a depleted Bucs secondary that could also be without corner Brent Grimes. Ranked as our No. 2 WR, Thomas needs to be in your lineup.
