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The Los Angeles Rams concluded their draft this year with the selection of Southern Mississippi Wide Receiver Mike Thomas in the sixth round (206th overall). The former Southern Miss wide out has the skills to be a reliable receiver if he can properly address his weaknesses coming into training camp.
The Rams have a glaring need for playmakers that can improve an offense that was near the bottom in nearly every major offensive category last season. In their final year in St. Louis, the Rams finished dead last in total yards per game (297.6 yards per game), last in passing yards per game (175.3 pass yards per game), and 29th in points per game, averaging only a paltry 17.5 points per game.
Thomas could become a vital part of this rebuilt Rams offensive aerial attack, if he can polish up his game. He must adapt to the speed at which NFL defenders will come at him and run his routes more sharply.
Strengths: In his NFL Combine scouting report, Thomas is considered by many scouts as a high-energy player, willing to work harder off the ball than the person guarding him. He will outwork opponents the moment he crosses the line of scrimmage. Thomas has excellent ball-handling skills, which are critical in any offensive scheme potentially led by Jared Goff. Thomas also has an excellent leaping ability, despite his average 6’1” 200-pound frame. With 14 touchdowns at Southern Miss during his senior season, he has always found the way to catch a football in difficult situations.
Weaknesses: Thomas isn’t the most physically gifted wide receiver. His frame is average by NFL standards, and he is fast but not spectacular with a 4.53 40-yard dash at the Southern Miss Pro Day. This lack of explosive speed could pose a problem for him against opposing defenses especially within the first ten yards from the line of scrimmage. His pre-draft scouting report also noted that he does not run routes particularly well and is prone to being a little careless with the football. Thomas must find a way to concentrate fully on finishing his routes more sharply as well as securing the football at all times.
If Thomas wants to have any real chance at having a viable career with the Rams, he must improve quickly. He has to run crisper routes from the line of scrimmage and finish them much more effectively in order for him to be a viable target for Goff in 2016. Nevertheless, Thomas has the tools to overcome these physical and mental shortcomings and become a vital piece of the Rams offense. Despite his late selection in the draft, Thomas’ reputation as a high-energy receiver, coupled with his excellent leaping ability and great ball-handling skills, makes it easy to see why the Rams have such high hopes for this young man this year.
Martin is a staff writer for Rams talk. He is a graduate from California State University, San Bernardino, majoring in Mass Communications and History. For more on his opinions, follow him on twitter at @MCruz1988.
Sources: sports-reference.com, nfl.com
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The Los Angeles Rams concluded their draft this year with the selection of Southern Mississippi Wide Receiver Mike Thomas in the sixth round (206th overall). The former Southern Miss wide out has the skills to be a reliable receiver if he can properly address his weaknesses coming into training camp.
The Rams have a glaring need for playmakers that can improve an offense that was near the bottom in nearly every major offensive category last season. In their final year in St. Louis, the Rams finished dead last in total yards per game (297.6 yards per game), last in passing yards per game (175.3 pass yards per game), and 29th in points per game, averaging only a paltry 17.5 points per game.
Thomas could become a vital part of this rebuilt Rams offensive aerial attack, if he can polish up his game. He must adapt to the speed at which NFL defenders will come at him and run his routes more sharply.
Strengths: In his NFL Combine scouting report, Thomas is considered by many scouts as a high-energy player, willing to work harder off the ball than the person guarding him. He will outwork opponents the moment he crosses the line of scrimmage. Thomas has excellent ball-handling skills, which are critical in any offensive scheme potentially led by Jared Goff. Thomas also has an excellent leaping ability, despite his average 6’1” 200-pound frame. With 14 touchdowns at Southern Miss during his senior season, he has always found the way to catch a football in difficult situations.
Weaknesses: Thomas isn’t the most physically gifted wide receiver. His frame is average by NFL standards, and he is fast but not spectacular with a 4.53 40-yard dash at the Southern Miss Pro Day. This lack of explosive speed could pose a problem for him against opposing defenses especially within the first ten yards from the line of scrimmage. His pre-draft scouting report also noted that he does not run routes particularly well and is prone to being a little careless with the football. Thomas must find a way to concentrate fully on finishing his routes more sharply as well as securing the football at all times.
If Thomas wants to have any real chance at having a viable career with the Rams, he must improve quickly. He has to run crisper routes from the line of scrimmage and finish them much more effectively in order for him to be a viable target for Goff in 2016. Nevertheless, Thomas has the tools to overcome these physical and mental shortcomings and become a vital piece of the Rams offense. Despite his late selection in the draft, Thomas’ reputation as a high-energy receiver, coupled with his excellent leaping ability and great ball-handling skills, makes it easy to see why the Rams have such high hopes for this young man this year.
Martin is a staff writer for Rams talk. He is a graduate from California State University, San Bernardino, majoring in Mass Communications and History. For more on his opinions, follow him on twitter at @MCruz1988.
Sources: sports-reference.com, nfl.com
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