The Dallas Cowboys have kept a relatively low profile in this year’s NFL free agency players like Michael Thomas, focusing their efforts on securing linebacker Eric Kendricks and running back Ezekiel Elliott.
However, with training camp looming and the roster mostly finalized, the Cowboys’ approach to the offseason has sparked some debate. Critics have been vocal about the team’s passive strategy, attributing it to the financial hurdles that have constrained their options.
Despite these limitations, there’s still room for strategic additions, and wide receiver Michael Thomas is emerging as a potential target. Garrett Podell of CBS Sports highlights that pursuing Thomas could be a smart move for the Cowboys, who are notably thin on receiving depth behind CeeDee Lamb.
Michael Thomas, From Prodigy to Potential Bargain
Once a fixture who wouldn’t last a day in free agency, Michael Thomas’s circumstances have shifted dramatically. His decline in demand coincides with a challenging stretch in his career, marred by injuries and reduced production.
Nevertheless, his 2023 campaign with the New Orleans Saints hinted at a possible resurgence. Over ten games, Thomas collected 39 receptions for 448 yards and a touchdown, marking his most productive season since 2019.
The 31-year-old Ohio State alum began his career with the Saints in 2016, quickly establishing himself as a premier receiver. Thomas enjoyed a stellar run from 2017 to 2019, during which he not only made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances but also led the NFL in receptions twice and received back-to-back First-Team All-Pro honors.
His 2019 season was particularly impressive, as he topped the league with 149 catches and 1,725 receiving yards, along with scoring nine touchdowns.
However, his trajectory was disrupted in 2020 due to an ankle injury that limited him to just seven games. The following years saw further setbacks, with Thomas missing the entire 2021 season and most of 2022 due to ongoing knee issues. Despite these challenges, his performance in the games he did play last season showed he still has the potential to contribute meaningfully.
A Strategic Move for the Dallas Cowboys
The addition of Thomas could provide the Dallas Cowboys with much-needed depth in the receiver position. After parting ways with Michael Gallup and experiencing a lackluster season from Brandin Cooks, the team is in dire need of reliable options. Thomas’s experience and previous high-level performance, if he remains healthy, could offer Dallas a high-reward opportunity at a presumably lower cost due to his recent injury history.
The Dallas Cowboys’ interest in Thomas underscores a broader strategy of maximizing value and addressing critical gaps without straining their financial resources. As the summer signing period approaches, all eyes will be on Dallas to see if they can secure a deal with Thomas, potentially turning a quiet offseason into a pivotal moment for the team’s 2024 prospects.
Sources: NFL Analysis
