DeMaryius ThomasLast Updated:
February 22nd, 2010
Managed By: William Queen 
Important LinksStats
OverviewDeMaryius "Bay Bay" Thomas emerged as one of the top receiving threats in the nation over the past couple years despite being saddled with a run-first triple option offense. He started 10 of 13 games as a redshirt freshman, finishing second on the team with 35 receptions for more than 550 yards and 4 TDs. As a sophomore, he had more than half of the team's total receptions (39 of 74) and added 3 TDs. As a junior, he had only 46 receptions in 14 games, but put up 1154 yards (25.1 ypc!) and 8 TDs. Again, the entire offense only had 78 receptions for 1774 yards, so there were no surprises about who the passes were intended for. He was named third team All-American by the AP for his efforts, along with being a first team All-ACC selection.
StrengthsThomas possesses outstanding size and strength for the position. He's hard to jam at the line because of his physicality. Most corners tend to back off him, but Thomas attacks them and is generally able to beat them. He builds up speed quickly and is able to get behind the defenders. With his size, he's an outstanding blocker downfield. He engages the smaller corners and wipes them out of the play. Thomas has very good body control and can high-point the ball. He has outstanding hands and attacks the ball. He's willing to go across the middle and will sacrifice himself to make a catch. Thomas is able to use his body to shield defenders with aplomb as well. His size allows him to rack the YAC as he overpowers most of the unwilling tacklers he faces in the secondary.
WeaknessesThomas has been very successful in college because he rarely faces double-teams because of the attention the defense has to place on the backs in the triple option offense. He rarely faces a corner or safety taller than 5'10", so he has an automatic advantage before the play even begins. Thomas' speed is built-up and he's been most successful with the 9 route when facing one-on-one coverage. He doesn't show much explosiveness off the snap or in and out of his cuts and his ability to create separation from the defender at the NFL level is going to be a question mark. His route-running is far from polished and, like many larger receivers, he has to gather himself to change direction.
ProjectionThomas has outstanding physical attributes, similar in many respects to former Virginia Tech receiver Herman Moore, except that he's even more physical. He's also been compared to former teammate Calvin Johnson, although most of those comparisons seem to be coming from Atlanta. He's been very productive in an offense that features a QB that struggles to throw the ball. Thomas' stock took a minor hit when he broke his foot while training for the Combine, although agent Todd France was sure to send a video of Thomas running an (alleged) 4.38 forty to all 32 teams. Look for Thomas to be a solid second round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, but don't be surprised if you hear his name called late on Thursday night.
|
Member Ratings
User: Bucky
Date/Time: 04/17/2010 - 9:13AM CDT Predicted Round: Round 2 Hard to evaluate because GT threw so little and Nesbitt was so erratic. Seems better than Bowe to me. User: Reuben36 Date/Time: 04/1/2010 - 12:34PM CDT Predicted Round: Round 2 Big, physical, strong WR but played in an option offense and will have alot of work to do with running precise routes. Thomas does have great size and enough speed to get over the top easily. User: cogan Date/Time: 03/9/2010 - 11:23AM CST Predicted Round: Round 2 I player with his supposed size/speed combination seems like a dream come true. However, he's very slow off the line, and is way behind in his route running skills. I wouldn't take him until the 3rd, but his skill set will lure someone, (Read:Al Davis), to take him much earlier. User: Johanns21 Date/Time: 03/4/2010 - 5:52PM CST Predicted Round: Round 1 First round talent, but a foot injury caused him to miss the combine. Not have a 40 time and other "times" may cause some teams to shy away. Still raw because he played in a flexbone option offense where he ran mainly go routes. User: The Boatman Date/Time: 01/23/2010 - 2:32AM CST Predicted Round: Round 2 Will need work on his route running in a pro set offense User: Lionsman11 Date/Time: 01/17/2010 - 8:47PM CST Predicted Round: Round 1 Reminds me of Brandon Marshall. He has great leaping ability, great route running, solid speed, and great hands. He isn't the best off the line, but he makes up for it by making great plays on the ball. He is also a wonderful blocker playing in a GT offense that ran the ball on the edges a lot. User: ytse_jammer Date/Time: 01/15/2010 - 8:56PM CST Predicted Round: Round 3 Great size and strength, good blocker. Has little explosion off the line and his top gear is slow, has to use his hands and size to get separation. Has only run basic routes and his footwork is not good coming out of cuts, closes his hips and almost slew-foots his breaks. Reminds me of why Cowboys fans hate Roy Williams, but also why people were so high on Roy too. User: NinerFan85 Date/Time: 01/7/2010 - 4:54PM CST Predicted Round: Round 1 Great size and good hands. I question his speed at the next level and his route running needs a lot of work. User: RichEisenIsGod Date/Time: 01/6/2010 - 3:46PM CST Predicted Round: Round 2 He's talented but plays in that weird wish bone offense GT runs. He'll need some work at the NFL level. User: timb2 Date/Time: 12/23/2009 - 1:39PM CST Predicted Round: Round 1 The prototype WR, big,fast,strong,good hands. Needs to go in the 2010 Draft.Should be a better WR than expected by all the mock draft gurus. 46 receptions for 1105 yards a 25 ypc average in the ACC. Rate This Player |
Georgia Tech's Profile for DeMaryius Thomas