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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tyler Forness

Vikings 90-man roster player profile: WR Thayer Thomas

Welcome to the beginning of our 2023 season preview content!

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at each player on the roster in-depth with backgrounds and how they currently project forward on the Minnesota Vikings roster.

What is the best-case scenario? What is the worst-case scenario? What should we expect from them during the preseason and beyond? We will break all of that down here.

As a staff, all of us at Vikings Wire ranked the entire 90-man roster 1-90 and will be releasing player profiles in reverse order.

Background

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Name: Thayer Thomas

Rank: 86

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 197 lbs

Experience: Rookie

College: North Carolina State

Stats (At North Carolina State): 60 games, 215 receptions, 2,484 yards, 24 touchdowns, 70 punt returns, 681 yards, 1 touchdown

Votes: 

Tyler Forness: 86

Kevin Fielder: 85

Judd Zulgad: 86

Saivion Mixson: 86

Average: 85.75

Best case scenario

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings have some major question marks in terms of depth at the wide receiver position. After WR3, it’s all up in the air. Thomas is likely a slot only at the next level, but he understands how to get open in the underneath and intermediate areas.

Along with the question marks at wide receiver, the Vikings have uncertainty at punt returner. Thomas averaged 9.7 yards per return in college and took one back for a touchdown. Thomas could put himself in contention for that job.

Worst case scenario

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Thomas’ size and likely slot only position gets him lost in the shuffle and he doesn’t have the opportunity to stand out. With the Vikings transitioning to more of a 12 personnel base, having three wide receivers on the field will be less common, which means less chances. How will his odd athletic profile translate onto the field?

What to expect in 2023

Bob Self/Florida Times-Union

There isn’t a whole lot to expect from Thomas this year. Special teams is where Thomas is going to be given the most opportunity to shine on the field, both in coverage and as a return man. Practice squad is a potential destination for Thomas with his return acumen, but he would need to show something.

Previous player profiles

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