As of right now, it’s unclear if Brandon Aiyuk will play for the San Francisco 49ers, the Pittsburgh Steelers, or a different team this season. There have been reports about the wide receiver declining potential trade options. Regardless, he’ll only play for one team. Everyone else will have to look elsewhere to fill the void.
Insert former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox looked at the best options at the position not named Aiyuk. This goes for teams who were in the mix for him but didn’t land him and also other teams in the wide receiver market.
Thomas’ injury history is a big reason he isn’t in New Orleans any longer and likely why he isn’t on a roster at the moment. Thomas returned to action in 2022 after an injury that kept him out the better part of two years. In the two seasons that followed, Thomas has struggled to remain healthy.
The difference between Aiyuk and Thomas is you’re picking up the former to be your top option. It’s hard to imagine a team trusting Thomas to lead their wide receiver corps. He should come in as a complimentary piece with a high ceiling that depends on his health.
