By: Jake Rajala

The New Orleans Saints illustrious wide receiver Michael Thomas won Offensive Rookie of The Year in 2019 (w/ a record-setting 149 receptions, 1,725 yards, and 9 touchdowns) and was the top fantasy wideout by over an astronomical 100 points. Gary Davenport of B/R even nicely noted that Thomas was well-rounded in fantasy in 2018. Gary stated, “In 2018, Thomas was first in the league in receptions (125), sixth in receiving yards (1,405), 10th in touchdowns (nine), and sixth in fantasy PPR points. After the year that the “Amazon burned”, he transcended into a ghost. MT played in a mere seven games in 2020 and then was called out by Stephen A for having surgery late in the 2021 off-season and missing the entire 2021 season.

With that said, Cantguardmike is healthy, hell-bent on finding gold, and he’s playing with an underrated signal-caller in Jameis Winston. I really believe that Thomas is undervalued by countless analysts and that he is honestly poised to be a Pro Bowl-caliber WR in 2022. Fantasy Pros pegged Thomas as the 32nd best wideout right now — which is behind Darnell Mooney, Elijah Moore, and Adam Thielen.

The healthy Saints WR1 has been utterly electric in training camp as of late. Nick Underhill of NOF noted how Thomas was impressive on Day 1 and Day 2 of training camp. Winston won’t only be focusing on MT on short and intermediate routes, but Winston can make more magic happen than even the 2019 version of Drew Brees with Thomas’s deep running ability.

The Saints may not have Drew Brees or Sean Payton, but they still have the offensive master-mind, Pete Carmichael (who has been with the Saints since 2019). Carmichael understands the quick passing concepts for MT, how to get him the pig-skin in space, and his best situations against divisional foes. Carmichael has been one of the most underappreciated and mysterious profiles in the league over the past decade.

Thomas has shined while playing injured w/ Taysom Hill at QB. Although, it’s quite safe to say that Who Dat Nation is happy that he’s back to 100% and playing with a mega-arm, healthy QB. He has stated that he is “very confident” that he will return to being a cream of the crop WR moving forward. The Saints highly motivated and gifted WR is set to be a FA in 2025.

The post Why Michael Thomas is a fantasy sleeper in 2022 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

The NFL witnesses many fascinating running back introductions each season. The star New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara won Offensive Rookie of The Year as a third-round pick in 2017. Furthermore, the undrafted free agent Phillip Lindsay ran anger in 2019 for 1,037 yards and 9 touchdowns. There are many other dazzling and surprising running back legacies in the history of the sport.

With that enunciated, I’m going to outline five-strong breakout RB candidates. Let’s begin.

Rashaad Penny

I absolutely love Rashaad Penny’s outlook in 2022. Penny was utterly efficient each time he touched the football last season, as he averaged 6.3 YPC. He also knocked out 749 yards and 6 touchdowns in 10 games. The Hawks brought back the familiar Chris Carson, but Penny should definitely carry the load in the Russell Wilson-less offense. I expect Penny to be a Pro Bowl-caliber RB in the frigid NFC West.

Michael Carter

The New York Jets RB Michael Carter was definitely productive in a lackluster 2021 Jets offense, as he unleashed 964 total yards in 14 games. Carter should really be leaned on in a Jets RB group that offers Tevin Coleman as the second most talented ball carrier. I really expect Mekhi Becton to bounce back to at least his rookie form. Becton and the new guard Laken Tomlin should help Carter improve in his second season as the bell-cow RB.

Javonte Williams

The Broncos second year RB Javonte Williams should excel in the Melvin Gordan-less show. Williams was a rockstar as a rookie with 203 attempts last season (904 rushing yds). He unveiled 1,219 total yards last season, too. Williams is really going to shine behind an OL led by Garrett Bolles and an offense led by Russell Wilson in 2022.

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