Mike Thomas has played his entire career with the Rams after being drafted in the sixth round four years ago. In that span, he’s only caught 10 passes for 144 yards in 40 total games. With numbers like those, many are wondering how he’s stuck around so long in Los Angeles.
Thomas contributes on special teams as a gunner and on returns in some cases. He’s played 536 special teams snaps in four years, which is nearly double the 238 offensive snaps in the same span.
The Rams kept him through his four-game suspension in 2017 and after he was placed on injured reserve at the beginning of the 2018 campaign, but his time in Los Angeles might be coming to an end. He’ll be a free agent next march and it’s reasonable to think the Rams will move on from the wideout.
- 2019 stats: 2 catches (5 targets), 14 yards; 1 drop
- PFF grade: 58.4 overall
Analysis
Thomas caught two passes for 14 yards this season, one of which went for a first down on fake punt against the Cowboys. It was very nearly an incompletion, though, as the ball appeared to go through his hands and hit the turf.
He also had one drop on his five targets, contributing minimally on offense. He did maintain his role on special teams, playing a career-high 213 snaps on that unit.
John Fassel had been his special teams coach for all four years, but with Fassel gone, Thomas might be, too. New special teams coordinator John Bonamego will probably want to bring in his own guys to play on those units, and Thomas may not stand out enough to warrant a spot.
Positional need: Low
The Rams have one of the deepest receiving corps in the NFL. Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks are expected to be the starters in 2020, with Josh Reynolds serving as the No. 4 receiver.
Thomas only played 34 snaps at wide receiver last season, and that was with Woods missing one game and Cooks another two. Wide receiver is far down the list of the Rams’ needs, even if Thomas leaves in free agency.
Prediction: Signs one-year, $750K deal elsewhere
It’s time for the Rams to move on from Thomas and find a special teams replacement who can also contribute on either offense or defense. Thomas simply hasn’t done enough to make himself a priority for Los Angeles, which makes him expendable.
He’ll probably catch on elsewhere, but the Rams will find a replacement in either the draft or free agency.
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