Cowboys approaches to Sign Record-Breaking Receiver: ‘Boom-or-Bust Risk’

According to one pundit, the Dallas Cowboys ought to think about acquiring a renowned veteran wide receiver off the free agent market.

Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints is included as one of the three players the Cowboys “must consider” signing in an article written by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. Thomas, 31, has played for the Saints for his whole eight-year career. Nevertheless, following four seasons marred by injuries, he was cut by New Orleans.

Thomas, according to Knox, can act as Michael Gallup’s “functional replacement” as the former No. 3 receiver. The Cowboys cut Gallup after he signed a five-year, $62.5 million contract before the 2022 season began because he did not perform up to expectations.

Knox states, “At worst, Thomas should be a viable replacement for Gallup as WR3.” But he could be so much more if he could reclaim some of his former form. Barring a trade, Dallas doesn’t have many other choices, so adding him would be a boom-or-bust bet.

In 2019, Michael Thomas broke the NFL Receptions Record.

In the three years between 2017 and 2019, Thomas caught at least 100 passes for at least 1,200 receiving yards. Before sustaining a string of injuries that have limited him to just 20 of 67 games over the last four seasons, the former Offensive Player of the Year was arguably the best receiver in the league. Finally, during the 2019 season, Thomas set a new NFL record with 149 receptions.

In addition to twice leading the NFL in receptions between 2017 and 2019, Thomas was selected to the First team All-Pro twice and appeared in the Pro Bowl each of the three seasons. In addition, he recorded 378 receptions during those three years, 65 more than DeAndre Hopkins, the second-best receiver.

Reasons for the Cowboys to Sign Michael Thomas

Even though Thomas hasn’t played like an elite receiver in a while, he proved he still has it in him as a possession receiver last season, as he recorded a respectable 39 receptions for 448 receiving yards in 10 games while serving as the Saints’ No. 2 option.

With CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks as the only other proven alternatives available to the Cowboys, adding Thomas can’t be a bad idea. Knox also contends that with Thomas’s $11.2 million cap hit for the Saints this season—not to mention the $100 million contract extension he inked with New Orleans before 2019—and taking into account his “down” seasons with the Saints, he might be signed to a low-cost agreement.

Knox notes that Thomas still has a $11.2 million dead-cap burden for the Saints, which would partially offset his contract demands. “After three disappointing years with the Saints, his value has also taken a severe hit.”

Knox notes that at this point in his career, Thomas would probably accept a $2–$3 million contract.

Thomas, who was formerly one of the skill players in the league with the biggest salary, will now have to accept a “prove-it” contract, according to Knox. “With incentives, a one-year contract in the $2–3 million range would probably allow the Cowboys to take a chance on the former Offensive Player of the Year.”

Thomas is a former record-breaking receiver, and the Cowboys should definitely consider signing him before training camp begins, as there is no risk involved.