New York Jets: Potential Free Agent Demaryius Thomas

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver

Demaryius Thomas

(88) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback

Greg Toler

(28) in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Maccagnan has pledged that the Jets will be active in free agency. The Jets have a lot of money to play with, and a lot of holes to fill. Maccagnan can take a lot of the pressure of his first draft off of him, with an effective showing during free agency. It’s not about the quantity of players signed, it’s about the quality.

The class of free agents may be weak at quarterback, but it is quite deep at wide receiver. Players like Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, and Torrey Smith are three examples of guys that would help the Jets immediately. But there is one guy getting a lot of talk lately, mostly because a current member of the team is doing some recruiting. That player, we all know, is WR Demaryius Thomas.

Thomas would make a great fit here with the Jets.

Next: Statistics

Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) reaches for the end zone following a reception against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Take a look at Demariyus’ career stats to date:

Receiving & Rushing

Demaryius is 27 years old, you could say that his best is still to come. He is right in the prime of his career, and he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Over the last three seasons, Demaryius has averaged 99 receptions per season. Demaryius has been “money” each and every week over the past three seasons, averaging nearly 94 yards per game, and posting double-digit touchdowns each season as well.

At 6’3″, 229 pounds, Demaryius is the ideal build for an NFL wide receiver. His size is a good compliment to a smaller slot receiver like Jeremy Kerley (5’9″).

Yes, Demaryius has been catching passes from a legendary quarterback over the last three seasons. One, he did catch 70 passes the season that the guy named Tebow was under center. Two, you don’t catch that many passes, and score that many times, if you aren’t a talented wide receiver. I don’t care who the quarterback is. 90+ catches per year is an incredible number, even with Peyton Manning doing the throwing.

Next: Grades

Dec 22, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 37-28. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Demaryius Thomas is a complete player too. Let’s take a look at his grades from last year, courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

It’s no surprise that he graded out well overall, ranking fifth in the NFL with a 19.3. His grade in the passing game was a 18.0, ranking Demaryius fifth overall here as well. But, what makes him a complete player is how well he blocks. He graded a 2.7 in blocking, which places him for ninth overall in the NFL.

More from The Jet Press

Even in the spread offense, the Jets will never abandon running with the football, not with Chris Ivory on the team. Demaryius Thomas commits to his blocking assignments, and it shows. His game is perfect for the Jets.

Next: Highlights

How about those highlights for Demaryius? Could you imagine if we could bring this guy in here? Here is what the profile said about Demaryius, back when he entered the NFL:

Thomas has rare measurables for the wide receiver position and will be a very attractive gamble for some team after the first round. He shows excellent vertical speed, especially for someone his size, and can be intimidating to a cornerback when isolated on the perimeter. He has the size of a tight end with the speed, agility and ball skills of a wide receiver. He needs a lot of work on his route running skills as he tends to round off his breaks and will telegraph his routes with too much upper body movement. He can make acrobatic type catches but will drop some very catchable passes due to lapses in concentration. He is not a very physical blocker on the edge in spite of his massive size advantage.

His blocking has improved, as we said in the previous page, making him everything the above says and more. Assuming Dez Bryant returns to the Dallas Cowboys, Demaryius Thomas may just be the prize of the NFL free agency period, especially at wide receiver.

Next: Financials

According to the website Over the Cap, Demaryius has made a modest amount of money, averaging $2.8 million over his previous contract, totaling just over $14 million. With nearly 100 receptions over the last three years, he is going to get paid a pretty penny. His contract will be a big one.

But Demaryius has earned it. Eric Decker is trying to recruit him to rejoin him here in NY, and reboot the duo from Denver. If Demaryius wants to be here, the Jets have the money to get it done.

Let’s get it done.

Next: Mock Draft: Jets Take a Big Play Receiver

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