The New Orleans Saints drafted former Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas with the 47th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. So far, they've seen quite the return on their second-round investment.
Thomas immediately established a rapport with veteran quarterback Drew Brees. He made several circus catches throughout training camp and the preseason. Still, supplanting longtime Saints X-receiver Marques Colston would be a tall task for any rookie.
Yet, it appears Thomas has done just that. The Saints listed him as a starting wide receiver opposite of Brandin Cooks, the former Oregon State receiver the Saints selected in the first round of the 2014 draft, ahead of Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders.
From nola.com Saints beat reporter Josh Katzenstein:
Saints unofficial depth chart for Week 1 lists Paul Kruger and Jahri Evans as starters. pic.twitter.com/Mj3agzDzbO
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) September 8, 2016
Ohio State's official Twitter account congratulated Thomas early Thursday morning:
When you see that @Cantguardmike was named a @Saints starting wide receiver #shhh pic.twitter.com/T56qDJddf7
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 8, 2016
Also of note to Buckeye fans, fellow Saints second-round pick will start the season backing up Jairus Byrd. Though given how coaches also raved about Bell, it's likely he'll see the field through via subpackages.
The Saints host the Raiders Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
