Pierre Thomas

Pierre Thomas

39-Year-Old Running BackRB
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Pierre Thomas in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Agreed to a contract with the Redskins in December of 2015.
RBWashington Commanders
Knee
January 3, 2016
Thomas (knee) is active for Sunday's contest in Dallas.
ANALYSIS
Washington has only deactivated Matt Jones (hip) for the season finale, leaving a logjam for potential reps among Thomas, Alfred Morris, and Chris Thompson (shoulder). If Week 16 was any indication -- seven receptions for 67 yards on eight targets at Philadelphia -- Thomas could be used as a pass-catching option, though head coach Jay Gruden mentioned early in the week that stalwarts like Morris may not see many reps with the postseason in mind.
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Pierre Thomas lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 Pierre Thomas Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Pierre Thomas' measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
* All metrics are from his Pro Day (not the combine).
Height
5' 11"
 
Weight
215 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.65 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.31 sec
 
Cone Drill
7.12 sec
 
Vertical Jump
35.5 in
 
Broad Jump
119 in
 
Bench Press
21 reps
 
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
Thomas was hampered by injuries last season as he missed five games and was limited in others because of shoulder, rib and foot woes. The Saints released the 30-year-old in the offseason. When healthy, Thomas is an excellent receiving option out of the backfield, and he has the vision and burst to break tackles and rack up yards after the catch while still providing value on the ground. He also routinely rates among the better blocking backs in the NFL. Used in a committee in New Orleans, Thomas' career workload is still low despite his age. A free agent at press time, Thomas likely will latch on with another team during training camp and make at least a modest impact as a third-down back.
Though he'll turn 30 at the end of this season, the 5-11, 215-pound Thomas is a low-mileage runner – just 773 rushes in his career – and one of the greatest PPR-specific assets around after leading all running backs in receptions with 77 last year. There's no reason he can't repeat the feat – and maybe even hit 80 catches – this season now that Darren Sproles has shipped off to Philadelphia. Amazingly, Thomas failed to catch only seven of the passes thrown his way last year (a 91.7 percent catch rate), including going 38-for-39 from Week 10 through the end of the season. However, with that efficiency came a lack of explosiveness – he averaged a career-low 6.7 yards per catch, didn't have a play over 30 yards either rushing or receiving, and continued not being an especially effective rusher at the goal line. Indeed, rushing proved to be an issue, as Thomas posted the second-worst YPC (3.7) of his career last year despite a career-high-tying 147 carries. His longest run of the year was just 18 yards. That along with the Saints' desire to work in strong runners Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson makes it likely that Thomas ends up seeing his carry total fall back this year as he works in more of a passing-down role, serving as a safety valve for Drew Brees.
Now that Chris Ivory is out of town, the 5-11, 215-pound Thomas is behind only Mark Ingram for carries and should see a significant role in the passing game even with Darren Sproles around. Thomas owns a career 4.8 YPC and is a headache for opposing defenses as he breaks tackles with quick feet and aggressive running. But Thomas has never eclipsed 147 carries in any season, and as long as he's sharing touches with both Ingram and Sproles, Thomas' ceiling will be limited.
Thomas totaled 987 yards on just 160 touches last season, scoring six touchdowns while getting 5.1 YPC. Thomas has durability concerns, but he’s a complete back who would likely finish among the top fantasy RBs if he ever became a true workhorse, especially on a team like New Orleans. As is, he’s part of a three-headed monster also consisting of Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles. Thomas left the divisional round playoff game with a nasty concussion, but he’s expected to enter training camp fully healthy.
Thomas continued to struggle with injuries last season, which limited him to just six games in which he averaged only 3.2 YPC and scored a paltry two touchdowns. A dynamic back while on the field with no glaring weaknesses, Thomas has never reached 150 rushing attempts during any of his four seasons in the league. Even if he somehow manages to stay healthy in 2011, he now has to compete with rookie Mark Ingram for touches, and Thomas has never seemed to have coach Sean Payton’s faith to begin with. The window for Thomas to take over as the Saints lead back has likely closed, however he still holds solid value, particularly as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
Thomas went down as one of the bigger fantasy disappointments in 2009, though it was no fault of his own, as he produced 1,095 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns while given just 147 rushing attempts. To put that in perspective, 32 other running backs saw more carries, including his teammate, Mike Bell, who got 172 totes despite playing in one fewer game and getting 3.8 YPC compared to Thomas’ 5.4, which tied for the fourth-best in football. There’s no guarantee Thomas could withstand 300 carries anyway, since he’s been dinged up here and there, but if there’s one back in the NFL who deserves that chance, it’s Thomas. He’s elusive in the open field and a terrific receiver as well, and when you add in that he plays for the NFL’s best offense, only opportunity prevents Thomas from being a top-five fantasy back. With Bell, who was given 11 goal-line carries last year to Thomas’ six, now in Philadelphia, there appears to be a path for more touches, with just Lynell Hamilton and the situational Reggie Bush standing in the way. Then again, if the thoroughly pedestrian Bell can form a timeshare in New Orleans’ backfield, any back should be regarded as a possible threat to steal touches. It’s good news the Saints didn’t address the position in the draft or through free agency, and and it’s possible the coaching staff is ready to turn over the workload to Thomas, but it simply can’t be counted on.
Reggie Bush’s superior pedigree aside, it’s blatantly obvious Thomas is New Orleans’ best running back, and it’s not all that close. During his five starts last season, Thomas totaled 475 yards and scored six touchdowns. In fact, he hit pay dirt nine times over his last six games and on the season averaged 4.8 YPC and got 9.2 yards-per-catch, fourth highest among all running backs. Additionally, 43 of his 129 carries went for first downs, a 33.3 percent rate that easily led the NFL. The Saints have talked about bringing in a power back, but they didn’t address the position during the draft, and the stats say Thomas is just fine in short-yardage situations. He scored on six of his eight goal-line carries last season, giving him a 75 percent conversion rate, the second best in football. Also, Thomas was “stuffed” on just six of his 129 rushes, giving him by far the best stuffs/carry rate in the NFL. Still, if the team insists on bringing in a short-yardage back, Thomas’ value would take a hit as he’s already yielding lots of catches and some carries to Bush. Just keep in mind Bush has averaged only 3.7 YPC throughout his career and works best as a change-of-pace back who gets most of his work as a receiver. The bottom line: Thomas should lead the team in carries in 2009 and can be effective in the passing game as well. Playing in the league’s top-ranked and highest-scoring offense means scoring opportunities will be abundant.
Undrafted and unknown, Thomas didn't see more than 12 carries in a game until Week 17 last year, but what a season finale it was. He ran for 105 yards on the ground and caught 12 balls for another 121 yards with a score, becoming the first Saint to break the century mark both rushing and receiving in the same game. In all, he averaged 4.8 YPC on 52 attempts and enters 2008 as a sleeper. Deuce McAllister is attempting to return, but he's coming off a second major surgery on one knee and a microfracture procedure on the other, so he's a long shot. Additionally, Reggie Bush simply doesn't fit as a workhorse, so there should be opportunity for carries in New Orleans. Thomas has the skills to take advantage.
More Fantasy News
RBWashington Commanders
Knee
January 1, 2016
Thomas (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
ANALYSIS
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RBWashington Commanders
Knee
December 30, 2015
Thomas (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports.
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RBWashington Commanders
December 27, 2015
Thomas benefited from Matt Jones (hip) being inactive in Week 16. He rushed four times for 22 yards and caught 7-of-8 targets for 67 yards.
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RBWashington Commanders
December 11, 2015
Thomas agreed to a contract with the Redskins on Friday.
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RBFree Agent
November 12, 2015
Thomas worked out for the Patriots on Thursday, ESPN.com reports.
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