Saints’ Michael Thomas dubbed 8th-best 2016 value draft pick by Todd McShay

ESPN’s Todd McShay re-visited the 2016 NFL Draft on Thursday morning, giving his best value picks from last season. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas easily found his way on the list, coming in at eighth.

Here’s what McShay had to say:

8. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

Pre-draft grade: Second round | Drafted: Second round

The Saints' actions in recent weeks should speak volumes about their confidence in Thomas. They traded WR Brandin Cooks in exchange for the Patriots' first-round pick. Thomas had a bigger impact as a rookie than any of the five wide receivers selected before him last year: Corey Coleman, Will Fuller, Josh Doctson, Laquon Treadwell and Sterling Shepard. He led the Saints with 92 catches and nine touchdowns and proved to be a nice weapon in the red zone.

Despite an amazing rookie season, Thomas ranked lower on the list because he was a second-round pick. The article, which requires ESPN Insider Access, can be found here. Dallas’ Dak Prescott (4th Round) topped the list, with the Chargers’ Jatavius Brown (5th Round) and the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill (5th Round) coming in right behind.

Thomas is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver for the Saints entering 2017, and they’ll rely heavily on him to at least replicate his rookie season. The sky’s the limit for the former Ohio State product.