Ohio State Football: Michael Thomas looks to become highest paid WR
With the way former Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas has performed his first three years in the NFL he is set for a big payday.
In 2016, Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas was drafted 47th overall in the second round of the NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Corey Coleman, Will Fuller, Josh Doctson, Laquon Treadwell and Sterling Shepard were all drafted ahead of Thomas. As a result, the Saints had the steal of the draft.
Thomas signed a 4 year, $5,118,971 contract with a $1,922,888 signing bonus his rookie year. In 2020 he will become an unrestricted free agent. Due to his tremendous production, Thomas will look to cash in on his next contract prior to the 2020 season.
Thomas had 92 receptions for 1,137 yards and 9 touchdowns his rookie year and In 2017 recorded 1,245 yards on 104 receptions and 5 touchdowns. This past season, he totaled a league-high 125 receptions with over 1,400 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Thomas will head into the 2019 NFL season averaging 1,263 yards, 114 receptions and 8 touchdowns. He is set to make $1,148,041 this upcoming season.
If those averages stay the same, for every reception Thomas has this season he will make about $10,000. He will also make $143,505 every time he reaches the endzone.
Thomas is expected to sign a record-breaking contract which will make him the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. According to Jeff Duncan, a columnist for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans, Thomas’ camp is asking for $22 million per year.
If he signs a contract worth $22 million per year, this would equate to the Saints WR making $192,982 per reception and he would cash in $2,750,000 every time he scores a touchdown.
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The Saints are willing to make Thomas the highest paid wideout in the NFL but this contract extension would cause the NFL wide receiver market to explode. The Cleveland Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr. is currently the highest paid WR in the league having signed a 5-year $90 million deal when he was still with the Giants.
Heading into the 2019 season, Beckman Jr will earn $16,750,000. Amari Cooper, AJ Green and Julio Jones are all due for a contract extension.
If Thomas signs a contract extension worth $22M annually, the pressure will be on the Falcons, Bengals and Raiders to compensate their star receivers.
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Former Buckeye great and NFL Hall of Famer Cris Carter expressed his support of Thomas deserving a payday that would make him the highest paid receiver in the NFL after shattering expectations since he entered the league. It’s hard to disagree because he knows the WR position better than most.