Can Julius Thomas be a top fantasy football option?
By Luke Sims
Julius Thomas was a gamble for fantasy football owners in 2015, but can he rebound to be among the best in 2016?
24.
That’s the number of touchdowns Julius Thomas contributed in 2013 and 2014 (12 each) when playing with quarterback Peyton Manning.
5.
That’s the number of touchdowns Julius Thomas contributed in 2015 with quarterback Blake Bortles.
Bortles threw 35 touchdowns in 2015, which was second in the NFL. He just wasn’t throwing them to Thomas. There seemed to be a disconnect between the two players throughout the season, contributing to the problem for Thomas’ fantasy football owners.
Most people didn’t see Bortles exploding onto the fantasy football scene as a legitimate starter until it was too late, but plenty of people too a chance on Thomas despite who he had at quarterback and just how bad the Jacksonville Jaguars were as a team.
Those (few) people who gambled on Bortles were vindicated. Those people who gambled on Thomas were burned.
Hopefully things improve in 2016.
Fantasy football owners are always looking for a bargain and there’s no doubt that Thomas’ value decreased in 2015. From a stud tight end option to a possible mid-level option, Thomas could be the kind of bargain that makes a fantasy season.
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Bortles will no doubt continue his aggressive passing in 2016, especially with stud wide receivers
and
. This could work to Thomas’ benefit.
Last season, Thomas was the third most targeted player on the team (80 targets) behind Robinson and Hurns. He could see that number inch up as teams try to take away Bortles’ top receiving options.
Equally important could be Thomas’ improvement in his second year with the team under offensive coordinator Greg Olson and catching more balls from Bortles. Thomas caught just over 50 percent of passes thrown his way (46 of 80) but should be more comfortable going forward.
Even if he doesn’t return to Manning-led form, Thomas should climb higher among tight ends. Some tight ends will fall from their lofty perches and others simply can’t compete. Maybe he won’t be in the top five, but he could end up in the top 10.
If Thomas does end up more involved and more utilized, expect big things. Expect more looks in the end zone and expect him to make plays when others are covered. He’s a big player with big-time capability, which should make him valuable to every fantasy football owner. It’s certainly possible that he becomes a bargain pick that could make someone’s league sick with envy.