Cowboys ‘need to consider’ signing record-setting receiver, analyst says

The Dallas Cowboys should consider signing a notable veteran wide receiver on the free agent market, according to one author.

As part of an article by Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox that lists three players the Cowboys “need to consider” signing, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is named as one of the options. Thomas, 31, spent his entire eight-year career with the Saints. However, he was released by New Orleans after being injured for four seasons.

Knox maintains that Thomas can serve as a “functional replacement” for former No. 3 receiver Michael Gallup. Gallup was released by the Cowboys after failing to produce after signing a five-year, $62.5 million contract before the start of the 2022 season.

“At worst, Thomas should functionally replace Gallup as WR3,” Knox writes. “If he could regain some of his former form, however, he could be so much more. Adding him would pose a boom-or-bust risk, but Dallas doesn’t have many other options, short of an exchange.

Michael Thomas broke NFL receptions record in 2019

Before suffering several injuries over the past few seasons – Thomas was limited to just 20 of 67 games over the past four seasons – the former Offensive Player of the Year was arguably the league’s best receiver for three years. framework that saw him catch at least 100 balls with at least 1,200 receiving yards between 2017 and 2019. To top it all off, Thomas broke an NFL record during the 2019 season by making 149 receptions.

Between 2017 and 2019, Thomas led the NFL in receptions twice, was named first-team All-Pro twice, and made it to the Pro Bowl in all three seasons. Additionally, he had 378 receptions during that three-year span, which was 65 more than the second-best receiver, DeAndre Hopkins.

Why the Cowboys should consider signing Michael Thomas

Although it’s been a long time since Thomas played like an elite receiver, he showed he still has some gas left in the tank as a possession receiver when he posted a solid line statistics of 39 receptions for 448 receiving yards in 10 games as number one. 2 option for the Saints last season.

Given that the Cowboys lack established options beyond CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, bringing in Thomas can’t hurt. Knox also argues that since Thomas’ cap hit is $11.2 million for the Saints this season – that doesn’t even mention the $100 million contract extension he signed with New Orleans before 2019 – and also taking into account his “rough” years with the Saints, he could be signed to a bargain deal.

“Thomas still carries a significant $11.2 million hit for the Saints, which could help offset his contract demands to some extent,” Knox writes. “His value also took a big hit after several difficult years with the Saints.”

Knox mentions that Thomas would probably settle for a $2-3 million contract at this point in his career.