Demaryius

Thomas

The devastating news came down during Thursday evening’s game between the Steelers and Vikings. The cause of death has not been revealed. TMZ reports Thomas was found dead in his Roswell, Ga. home on Thursday evening. The Georgia native had just called it quits in June after 11 years in the league. The No. 22 overall pick of the 2010 draft by Josh McDaniels’ Broncos, Thomas’ career got off to a slow start under Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow but went supernova following Peyton Manning’s arrival in 2012. Thomas stacked up an astounding 5,787 yards during Manning’s four years with the team, never posting fewer than 1,304. He cleared 1,000 again in 2016. Despite those glory days with Manning, Thomas’ signature play came with Tebow at the helm when he walked off the Steelers in the 2011-12 Wild Card Round with an 80-yard touchdown grab in overtime. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro, Thomas was one of the best receivers of the decade in a golden age for the position. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.

Thomas, a 2010 first-round pick, was one of the NFL’s most productive receivers during Peyton Manning’s run with the Broncos, carving up defenses with wide receiver screens and outmuscling and outrunning defenders in Denver’s high-powered offense. Thomas, 33, ranks second in receiving yards (9,655) and touchdown catches (60) and third in receptions (665) in Broncos history. Thomas, who played in Denver for nine years, is first in receiving yards per game (72.4) among Broncos who appeared in at least 30 games. Fantasy football’s top scoring receiver in 2013, Thomas last played with the Jets in 2019, catching 36 of 58 targets for 443 yards and a touchdown.

It is the first we have heard of 32-year-old Thomas since the end of last season. Thomas, who knows coach Adam Gase from his Broncos days as well as last season, posted a sleepy 36/433/1 line in 11 games after Gang Green acquired him from the Patriots. He would make sense as a depth signing to round out the Jets’ unimpressive receiver corps.

Robby Anderson (calf) is active. Thomas ended up appearing in just 11 games due to injuries. He closes 2019 with a 36/433/1 line on 59 targets. The rest of the Jets inactives are S Blake Countess, RB Josh Adams, RB Kenneth Dixon, S Bennett Jackson, DE Jordan Willis, and TE Ross Travis.

Thomas is banged up and a strong candidate for limited snaps if active. Robby Anderson (calf) is also questionable. Jamison Crowder is the superior play in this spot against a Bills defense that he had 17 targets against back in Week 1.

Thomas has been sidelined for a few games now and is likely on the wrong side of questionable heading into the 2019 finale. The veteran was the No. 3 receiver behind Jamison Crowder and Robby Anderson during his stint with the Jets and shouldn’t be counted on as an every-week starter in 2020.

Vyncint Smith replaced Thomas in three-WR sets last week. He managed a solid-enough 3-40-0 line on five targets, but neither him nor DT if active are realistic fantasy options as the offense’s No. 4 (at best) pass-game option in this tough spot.

ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini confirmed the veteran is not expected to suit up when the Jets host Pittsburgh in Week 16. Robby Anderson, Vyncint Smith and slot receiver Jamison Crowder will operate in three-wide sets with Thomas slated to miss his second straight game.

Vyncint Smith replaced Thomas in three-WR sets last week. He managed a solid-enough 3-40-0 line on five targets, but neither him nor DT if active are realistic fantasy options as the offense’s No. 4 (at best) pass-game option in this tough spot against the Steelers’ beastly secondary. Since their Week 7 bye the Steelers Defense hasn’t allowed an offense to surpass even 220 passing yards: Each of the Dolphins (170), Colts (189), Rams (218), Browns (189), Bengals (158), Browns (173), Cardinals (165) and Bills (131) have largely been shut down through the air.

Thomas missed last week’s game with the injuries. He caught his first touchdown of the season in Week 14 against Miami. The soon-to-be 32-year-old (on Christmas) is on his last legs in the NFL, and it’s possible we’ve already seen him play his final down if he’s unable to gain clearance the next two weeks.