Why Michael Thomas will finish as the top rookie wide receiver

The New Orleans Saints selected Michael Thomas in the second round, 47th overall in the 2016 NFL entry draft. He was the sixth wide receiver selected overall, behind Corey Coleman, Will Fuller, Josh Doctson, Laquon Treadwell and Sterling Shepard.

Yet, despite five wideouts being drafted ahead of him, I think Thomas will finish as the highest scoring rookie WR in standard fantasy leagues. Here's why:

The Sean Payton/Drew Brees effect

In 2006, QB Drew Brees signed with the Saints as a free agent - the same offseason the club named Sean Payton head coach. Since '06, Brees has averaged 4,856 passing yards and 35 touchdowns each season. Age is clearly not affecting him yet, as he threw for 4,870 yards and 32 scores last season.

That's a lot of yards and TDs to go around. Thomas might be getting overlooked in drafts right now (he's the WR54 according to FantasyPros) because of the surplus of pass-catching talent the Saints possess.

However, in every season since 2011, the Saints have had multiple players receive 100 or more targets - sometimes as many as four. WR Brandin Cooks is almost a lock to receive the most targets, but TE Coby Fleener, WR Willie Snead and Thomas are all in competition to be Brees' second option.

New Orleans' up-tempo spread offense has been a fantasy gold mine for the past decade. While the club's defense has improved somewhat (it can't really be any worse than it was last season) Brees and Co. should still find themselves in many shootouts.

Advanced route-runner

Thomas led Ohio State in receptions in back-to-back seasons. He also led the Buckeyes in receiving yards this past year. Much of this is due to his advanced route-running.

Thomas finished fourth among WRs in the 20-yard shuttle drill and seventh in the 3-cone drill at the NFL combine - impressive results for a 6-foot-3 wide receiver, as most players his size struggle with footwork in tight spaces.

Kendall Fuller, the corner he fooled, was a first-team All-ACC and second-team All-American in 2014, and was a third-round pick by the Redskins.

The stutter step is nice, but Thomas is also great at running short and intermediate routes, which is so crucial in Payton's offense. He isn't afraid to take a hit across the middle of the field in order to make a catch.

Big play ability

Thomas has the potential to be an elite red zone target in the NFL. Clearly his size is a big reason why, but he also has the ability to high-point the ball and make spectacular catches away from his body while airborne.

Thomas's size will be a welcome addition to the receiving corps. Cooks is just 5-foot-10 and Snead is 5-foot-11. WR Brandon Coleman (6-foot-6) showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, but was also inconsistent. Fleener was acquired in the offseason, but has just one season with more than four TDs.

Lack of rookie WR competition

The 2016 WR class could turn out to be a very good one, but here's why I think Thomas will outperform all the players picked ahead of him:

• Corey Coleman, Browns: Coleman is a true speed burner, but his small stature limits his red zone upside. He was also inconsistent catching the ball away from his body in college. Coleman will likely wind up as the third receiving option behind Gary Barnidge and Josh Gordon - once the latter returns from suspension - in an offense with QB question marks.

• Will Fuller, Texans: Fuller was the fastest WR in the entire draft, but DeAndre Hopkins will likely be a huge target hog again. Plus, Bill O'Brien will certainly employ a heavy fun-first offense. Are you sold on Brock Osweiler at QB? I'm not.

• Josh Doctson, Redskins: Doctson is similar to Thomas in that he has elite size and has the makings of a great red zone threat. However, he is currently on the PUP list and will have to battle Jamison Crowder and Pierre Garcon for targets behind Jordan Reed and DeSean Jackson. Kirk Cousins provides more optimism than Osweiler, but I'm still not sold.

• Laquon Treadwell, Vikings: Not much has changed in Minnesota; this is still Adrian Peterson's offense. Playing indoors should improve the passing game, but Teddy Bridgewater has yet to show the ability to push the ball downfield. Stefon Diggs is likely to lead in targets, giving Treadwell little upside.

• Sterling Shepard, Giants: I expect Shepard to finish second in fantasy points among WRs in standard leagues, but first in PPR scoring. Shepard is just 5-foot-10, but is lightning quick in and out of his breaks and has great hands. He should outperform Victor Cruz and No. 2 option in a pass-happy offense, but Odell Beckham Jr. will see the majority of red zone targets.

Shepard probably has the highest floor among all rookie WRs, but Thomas certainly has the highest ceiling in standard leagues. Brees already raved about Thomas' performance in OTAs, and he's already showing off his one-handed catch ability in training camp:

If Brees and Payon can turn Snead, an undrafted free agent out of Ball State, into a fantasy weapon, it's exciting to think what the pair of offensive genius' can do with a talent like Thomas. He is a high-upside pick, who is more than worthy of being drafted as your WR4 or WR5 in the 10th-12th round.