Like everything, time settles the initial thoughts and it makes you wonder if Thomas can resurrect his career now that he is back with the Dolphins.
The biggest negative against Thomas was that he was drafted in the 2nd round. Not just drafted but Jeff Ireland traded up to get him. The Dolphins didn’t have a 2nd round pick in that 2011 draft and the trade up for Thomas took away their 3rd round pick, their 5th round pick, and a 7th round pick. Miami’s desire to select Thomas was confounded by the fact they drafted Clyde Gates with their next pick in round four. Horrible pick by Ireland and I’m glad he’s GONE!
Thomas simply couldn’t be average. He needed to be good and he never was. The Dolphins’ decision was not a good one and a year later they were drafting Lamar Miller in round four. Miller obviously had a much larger impact than Thomas did.
Thomas is not coming to Miami to be a featured back and the Dolphins will not likely try to use him as one. The signing of Thomas and Isaiah Pead don’t solve the issue at running back for the team. Jay Ajayi, entering his 2nd season in the NFL, will be the featured runner. For now. The Dolphins however might view Thomas as more mature now that he has been out of football for a year.
After the Dolphins let Thomas walk in free agency, he landed with the Chicago Bears ahead of the 2015 season. Thomas didn’t make the roster under Adam Gase’ offensive coordinator watch. Did Gase see enough in Thomas to believe he can challenge for a spot with the Dolphins? Maybe. Or maybe he is just another camp-body. A back-up body if the Dolphins can’t figure something else out by the start of the season.
In his four years in the NFL, all with the Dolphins in regular season, Thomas ran the ball 409 times for 1,480 yards and contributed another 412 yards in the passing game. He was however a decent blocker but Miami doesn’t need a “decent” blocking tailback. They need someone who can run the ball. Especially if Ajayi doesn’t stay healthy. That’s the key word for Ajayi “HEALTHY! “
Thomas is a long shot there is no doubt and he may not make it through training camp. It is however a small investment of one year. If he lasts that long. When playing well, Thomas is a physical runner who didn’t get the opportunities in Miami that he probably needed. The 2011 Dolphins were a mess that ended with the firing of Tony Sparano and nothing really changed with the addition of Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman.
Thomas did not gain any attention as a free agent in 2015 and despite several running backs going down during the season, teams didn’t pick up the phone and call him in. A standout at Kansas State, Thomas has not made a mark in the NFL and it’s likely he won’t in 2016 either.
Miami tried to sign C.J. Anderson who would have solved their problems in the backfield but Denver matched the contract. Which it wasn’t a surprise that they matched the offer.The free agent market wasn’t very good with running backs this off-season at the 2nd and 3rd level and Lamar Miller didn’t get the offer he was looking for to stay.
The Dolphins could turn to the draft later this month but the best runners in this class are expected to be gone in the first two rounds. The Dolphins really can’t afford to spend a high draft pick on a running back with so many other areas of need unless Zeke Elliot is there at 13 which is unlikely but never know. It’s very possible that the Dolphins go the free agency route after the draft is over or even take a longer look as camp gets closer. Also a trade is still on the table.
For now Thomas’ NFL future sits on his own shoulders. Can he overcome his injuries and fumbles?
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