Here’s an interesting slant . . .
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report just sifted through the NFL’s bargain bin, matching some of the top remaining free agents with a number of teams. Knox finishes off his list with veteran wideout Michael Thomas, who he believes may have enough left in the tank to help a young quarterback over in Charlotte:
The Carolina Panthers can and should also consider Thomas as they look to put talent around second-year quarterback Bryce Young. Thomas’ size, route-running prowess and divisional familiarity would be a boon as Young looks to bounce back from a disappointing rookie campaign.
Thomas spent each of his seven pro campaigns with the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints. His best of those came in 2019, when he notched a league-leading 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns en route to the AP Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Now 31 years old and with a few more notes on his injury history, Thomas is obviously a far cry from the receiver we saw five seasons ago. In fact, he’s played in just 20 of a possible 67 regular-season games since 2020.
But if a bargain is indeed to be had, then perhaps a divisional foe can become an asset in healing Young and Carolina’s offense.
(Oh, and he’ll have to make sure he’s good with a certain 6-foot-5, 320-pound defensive lineman.)
