Georgia Tech's Demaryius Thomas Is the Number Two Receiver in the NFL Draft

The wide receiver position in the upcoming 2010 Draft isn’t a very deep group in terms of potential number one receivers, but it’s extremely deep in guys that can make NFL rosters. 

Dez Bryant is clearly the head of the class, but there is no consensus number two guy, as the next five to eight guys are all ordered differently depending on who you talk to.

My number two guy is Georgia Tech wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.  Thomas measures in at 6’3” and 230 lbs.  He doesn’t have elite speed, and he doesn't run nice, crisp routes.  Why then, is he my number two receiver? 

He’s my number two receiver for three main reasons.  The first reason is fairly obvious.  He produces.  In a run-oriented offense, he always made the most of his touches.  In the 13 games played in 2009 he never had a game in which he averaged less than 11 yards per catch and in eight games he averaged over 25 yards per catch.  He also had eight touchdowns in just 46 catches.  Get the ball to him, and he’s going to make something happen. 

The second main reason I am so high on Thomas is his attitude.  Despite playing in Paul Johnson’s triple option-based offense, he never complained. Several receivers transferred as soon as Johnson was hired, and Thomas could have followed suit, but he chose to persevere and make the most of the situation at hand. 

Against North Carolina, the running game was on target, and Thomas was held to three catches for 35 yards.  Some 20-year olds would be disheartened by this.  Not Thomas.  He turned around the next week and caught eight passes for 174 yards and a touchdown.  He knew his role at Georgia Tech and embraced it. 

The third reason Thomas is second on my wide receiver list is a skill that Paul Johnson taught him so well, blocking.  Today in the NFL, Hines Ward is held in high regards as the best blocking wide receiver in the league.  Ward is not exceptionally fast, nor does he wow fans with crazy touchdown celebrations.  He simply comes to work on Sundays and does what the coach asks of him. 

Thomas will do that as well, for whatever team drafts him.  Throw the ball in his direction and he’ll make a play, jumping over smaller defenders.  Run the ball in his direction and he’ll make a play, brutalizing whoever gets in his way.