Daniel Thomas
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Daniel Thomas | Miami Dolphins | RB
2012 Experience: 2nd Season
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Fantasy Football Outlook: A couple of productive games early in the season, allowed Daniel Thomas to earn more playing time and put a damper on Reggie Bush’s possible opportunity the lead back. As time moved on Thomas’s game broke down and Bush finally started being used like Miami said they were going to do in the pre-season.
Bush went on to have a the best half year run if his career, and Thomas fell into obscurity. What disappointed me just as much as his lack luster performance was in over 160 carries he failed to reach the end zone. A big running back like this shouldn’t have problems moving a pile and beating out Bush for goal-line work, and it gives me pause on believing he will ever amount to a lot in this league.
To my surprise Lamar Miller fell in the draft, and the Dolphins picked him up in the 4th round. Perhaps this was a message to Thomas as some draftniks had Miller as a possible late first round pick, so if he doesn’t put it together in camp, he may fall to the third back on the depth chart.
Needless to say, we will need to keep an eye on this situation and see how Thomas picks up the new zone blocking scheme being implemented this off-season. Look to Thomas as a late round stash in deeper leagues, and forget about him in 10 team play until he shows more.
| Rushing Stats | Receiving Stats | |||||
| Attempts | Yards | TD | Rec | Yards | TD | |
| 2012 Projected Stats | 112 | 379 | 1 | 8 | 48 | 0 |
2012 Fantasy Football Draft Prep: ADP's | Rankings | Mocks | Cheat Sheets + Auction Values
| Rushing | Receiving | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Age | G | GS | Att | Yds | TD | Rec | Yds | TD | YScm | Fmb | |||||||||||||
| 2011 | 24 | 13 | 2 | 165 | 581 | 0 | 3.5 | 44.7 | 12.7 | 12 | 72 | 6.0 | 1 | 0.9 | 5.5 | 653 | 2 | |||||||
| Career | 13 | 2 | 165 | 581 | 0 | 3.5 | 44.7 | 12.7 | 12 | 72 | 6.0 | 1 | 0.9 | 5.5 | 653 | 2 | ||||||||
To help you get ready for draft day you will notice articles for ADP advice, cheat sheets, mock drafts and projected stats for Daniel Thomas here. During the season, you can also find regular weekly ranking articles at this section as well.
Below we have selected some of our favorite videos, and we hope you enjoy this insightful, visual information.
Summer of 2011: Fantasy Projections
It only makes sense that the Dolphins are planning on using Reggie Bush as the starter, to begin the season, as Daniel Thomas is a rookie that miss valuable off-season work. In the long run, the Dolphins picked a great player to have in from of Thomas for the youngsters odds of factoring in fantasy leagues this season, and years to come.
Bush will probably have a decent first half of the season, but his chronic knee problems will probably catchup to him by the end of October, opening the door for Thomas to be the starter. Look for Thomas to be a fantasy factor in the second half of the season. This makes Thomas a top 40 running back to select and if a mush have hand cuff to Bush.
8/12 Update – Thomas is struggling in camp and hasn’t looked sharp through the first two preseason games. I still believe Thomas can make an impact in the second half, but he’s only worth targeting at the end of drafts for depth.
| Rushing Stats | Receiving Stats | |||||
| Attempts | Yards | TD | Rec | Yards | TD | |
| 2011 Projected Stats | 166 | 732 | 7 | 13 | 81 | 0 |
June 2011 Outlook
While free agency hasn’t happened yet, it is looking likely that the Dolphins are going to let Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams go to explore the open market. Coach Tony Sparano is talking up the need for a third down type running back that can make a big play in the passing game, which has some thinking free agent Darren Sproles would be a likely fit.
If this all hold true, then second round pick running back Daniel Thomas will be the teams next feature back and will be the starter from week one on. This is great news for his fantasy stock, as he would find himself in rare territory these days in the NFL as most young running backs are mired in a committee.
Because of Thomas’s situation, he should make for the top rookie selected in fantasy football drafts, again, assuming things workout in free agency as projected above. Thomas has the size (6’1, 228) to be a feature runner and his 298 carries last season for Kansas State, show you that he is ready to take a load right now.
In the end, Thomas may not last a long time in the NFL as he will probably wear down because of taking physical punishment in his early years, but he could have a nice run in the next four or five seasons, as the Dolphins have an offense ready to let a runner flourish. At this time, Thomas makes for a solid flex play running back, and if he has a good showing in the preseason he might volt up to a late number two running back in ten team re-draft leagues.
For keeper leagues, Thomas is probably the top option to draft at the running back position for rookies because of the situation he’s in, talent and that Mark Ingram will be stuck with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush in New Orleans.
