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Michael Thomas named best wide receiver in NFL

Julio who-lio?

Atlanta Falcons v New Orleans Saints Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Fans of the New Orleans Saints who watch Michael Thomas every game day know that he’s the best wide receiver in the NFL right now. You don’t just lead the league in receiving yards and break an NFL record for most receptions in a single season and not be the best receiver in the league.

That’s why it shouldn’t be a shock when Brad Kelly of Pro Football Network ranked the Top 25 wide receivers in the NFL, with “Can’t Guard Mike” coming in as the #1 spot:

The offensive system and role that Michael Thomas plays have a positive influence on his production, but his traits would translate into every offense. Simply put, Thomas gets open regardless of alignment and has a natural feel for coverage, and drops are basically non-existent (3.2% over the past two seasons). Thomas set the NFL record for most receptions in a season last year while leading the league in receiving yards, and he’s now caught 82.5% of his targets over the past two seasons. If my life depended on converting a fourth and long, Thomas would be my first choice among wide receivers in the NFL to throw towards.

Fans of the Atlanta Falcons would probably be upset to hear their #1 wide receiver, Julio Jones, was #2 on the list. DeAndre Hopkins, of the Houston Texans Arizona Cardinals, was third on the list. Of note, the NFC South actually had four of the top six receivers on the list, with the Tampa Bay duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin coming in at numbers four and six respectively, sandwiched around Tyreek Hill of the Kansas City Chiefs.


What do you think? Do you think Michael Thomas should be ranked above Julio Jones? Let us know in the comments. Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel. As always, you can follow me on Twitter @ChrisDunnells.