Who Should I Start? Michael Thomas or Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Wednesday, March 13, 5:56 PM

Wide receiver Michael Thomas (knee) is no longer under contract with the New Orleans Saints, according to a source, and is now officially a free agent. It was a formality this offseason since his deal was only really for one year. The 31-year-old was designated as a post-June 1 cut by the Saints. Thomas missed the final seven games of the 2023 season due to a knee injury and isn't likely to have a very robust market given all of the injuries he's endured since leading the NFL in receptions (149) and receiving yards (1,725) in 2019, the last year he was named to the Pro Bowl. Since then, the former second-round pick by the Saints in 2016 out of Ohio State has played in only 20 games and has caught 95 passes for 1,057 yards and four touchdowns.

Wednesday, February 28, 10:44 AM

The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling ahead of free agency in a cap-saving move. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the team saves $12 million on the cap. The veteran speedster spent two seasons with the Chiefs, totaling 63 receptions for 1,002 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 33 games. He wasn't overly productive, but he did catch two touchdowns in the 2022 playoffs and caught a touchdown in the victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Valdes-Scantling is unlikely to sign a big-money deal this offseason, but his field-stretching skill set will be attractive to a few teams.