Jaguars' Player Biography: Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona

by Jonathan Loesche on Jul 4, 2009 6:45 PM EDT

What would your definition of a Shack Harris wide receiver be? My definition would be tall, slow, poor route runner, and a knack for substance abuse. Since Jimmy Smith retired following the 2005 season, the Jaguars have been plagued at the position. Enter Mike Thomas, the antithesis of a Shack Harris receiver. Thomas is short and an excellent route runner with 4.3 speed. He is the PAC-10's All-Time leader in pass receptions. In addition, he started returning punts his senior year. He took to it well, returning two for touchdowns and was named 1st team All PAC-10 as a returner and wide receiver. What does Mike Thomas offer the Jaguars that made him such a great pick in the fourth round?

Video Killed The Scouting Report

(Yeah, I know this video has been posted on this site a half dozen times)

Mike Thomas:By The Numbers

At A Glance
Position 1: Wide Receiver	Height: 5'8
Position 2: Special Teams	Weight: 195
Class: Senior	Age: 22
Projected Round: 4	40time: 4.30

Thomas has the kind of speed you want from a wide receiver, at least on paper. There are some questions as to whether he can with stand an entire NFL season with his frame. In addition, how well can he handle being pushed around by physical corners.

According to The Experts

Positive

Draft Countdown

Great speed and quickness with a burst...Has a strong, solid build...Very elusive with terrific vision and instincts...Runs good routes...Nice body control and ball skills...Pretty good leaper...Tough and isn't afraid to work the middle...Good work ethic...Extremely competitive...Can also contribute as a return man...Super productive.

FF Toolbox

He has better than average top-end speed and will be an excellent possession receiver out of the slot in the NFL. His quickness will allow him to separate against man coverage against most nickel and dime defensive backs in the NFL. He is a polished route runner and shows tremendous elusiveness after he catches the ball

Negative

Draft Countdown

Does not have the height that you look for...Will have lapses in concentration and drop some balls...Has trouble beating the jam...Isn't really a vertical threat...Minor character concerns ... Upside is limited.

FF Toolbox

May not be able to be more than a slot receiver

Why Is Mike Thomas a Jacksonville Jaguar

There is always going to be a spot on a NFL roster for a guy who can get open and has reliable hands. Mike Thomas fits both of those categories. In addition, he brings added value as a returner that will only boost his chances of making the roster. Thomas isn't quite as squeaky clean as some of the other 2009 picks have been, but I doubt we'll hear about him being found in the back seat with cocaine.

What To Expect in 2009

With the departure of Dennis Northcutt, Thomas seems primed to grab the #3 receiving spot. I would expect a battle between him and fifth rounder Jarrett Dillard for playing time in that role. Regardless, I believe Thomas will entrench himself as the Jaguars return man. He is too fast and too good with the ball in his hands to not make plays on special teams.

Poll

Which wide receiver will have the biggest impact for the Jaguars?

Mike Thomas

138 votes

Jarrett Dillard

133 votes

Tiquan Underwood

31 votes

302 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Don't overestimate his abilities

as a return man anyhow. He’s a good college return man because you can afford to dance in college, but he wont translate well in the NFL. He also has some ball security problems when returning the ball.

I would stick with Witherspoon. And maybe even some Montel Owens. However I’m not saying Thomas is that bad, but he should only be a backup, at least for now.

by Ewdtrey on Jul 5, 2009 12:15 AM EDT reply actions

Witherspoon

Yeah, because Witherspoon has been so good holding on to the ball during returns.

by tigg75 on Jul 5, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

He's Gained

Ten pounds, and was a free agent out of a small school. I nearly hated the guy at times last season, but you have to give him some time.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Jul 5, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Most players

fumble the ball a few times. At least he rarely muffed. He’ll learn to hold on to the ball better. If we weren’t so bitter from the losing he would be viewed as a good player.

by Ewdtrey on Jul 5, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I just finished watching some

tape on Thomas and Britton.

Thomas has one of the fastest stop starts I have ever seen on any level, if not the fastest. It’s seriously that impressive. He absolutely smoked a pretty good CB getting about 6 yards of separation.

And forget about his height when referring to his blocking ability. The guy can block, and he does it on a regular basis. Not that you could set him up in the backfield to block like a H-Back, but he does his job out there on the flanks.

by Ewdtrey on Jul 5, 2009 12:46 AM EDT reply actions

Just found some evidence

as to why Thomas’ stop-start move looked so good. His 10 yard split time is 1.44.
In comparison:
     Chris Johnson 1.40 The best recorded time ever.
     MJD 1.58
     Tiquan Underwood 1.47
     Brian Witherspoon 1.42

And because Thomas is so short something tells me that he could probably stop faster than any of these guys.

by Ewdtrey on Jul 5, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions

O in case

anyone was wondering how MJD still ran a fast 40 (4.38) (this is also for anyone that doesn’t think MJD has some good top speed) he ran the fastest last 20 yards in the last 9 years of the combine.

One more 10 yard split, Darrius Heyward-Bey ran a 1.44.

by Ewdtrey on Jul 5, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

great job on that!

that was one of those things i wanted to know but never thought about it at the computer

LateRoundPick.com

by Surteal on Jul 5, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't wait to see him

… in action wearing Teal. I find it hard to evaluate college film clips, but he looks very promising indeed.

by KeithG on Jul 5, 2009 3:36 AM EDT reply actions

I Wouldn't Worry

Too much about Mike T being pushed around.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Jul 5, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

Size is relative

If Mike Thomas was 6’2" he would weight in at about 220. His bench reps of 15 is about average for a wide out in general and his height should give him leverage. It all means nothing unless he actually uses the strength. Of course if MJD was only 6’ he would be about 225, if he was 6’2" he would be about 240. Even though he is “little” he blocks pretty well. He did 18 reps BTW.

by tigg75 on Jul 5, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions