Who The Fuck is That Guy? Fantasy Football 2020: Ian Thomas

The “Who The Fuck is That Guy” series continues! “Who The Fuck is That Guy” is the best part of the Vendetta Sports Fantasy Show. Everyone on the show gives a random player that no one knows about and no one is going to draft. Yet somehow, someway they can win you your fantasy league. Today we are going with Alex Chick’s pick from Episode 8, Ian Thomas.

Background Information

The 25-year-old tight end out of Indiana is entering his 3rd year in the NFL with Carolina. The Panthers drafted Thomas in the 4th round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Thomas has been durable throughout his career, playing in 16 games in both of his seasons in the NFL. Thomas has averaged 9 yards per catch in his career, with 2018 being his best year. He racked up 36 catches for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. With 4 catches over 20 yards. 2019 was a down year compared to that, however, that can be associated with the rotating door at quarterback for the Panthers. Cam Newton was injured, Kyle Allen was hot then immediately returned to earth and Will Grier just stunk.

Fantasy Potential

Teddy Bridgewater is the Panthers quarterback for the 2019 season, so let’s see how tight ends have performed with him recently. Bridgewater started for the Saints from week 3 to week 7, each week progressively improving and becoming more comfortable within the system. Jared Cook’s stats with Bridgewater consistently improved each week. Peeking in weeks 5 and 6. Cook had 4 catches for 41 yards and a touchdown in week 5 against the Buccaneers. That equals 14.1 PPR points and 10.1 standard points. Cook then had 3 catches for 37 yards and 1 touchdown against the Jaguars in week 6. That totals to 12.7 PPR points and 6.7 standard points. Don’t be shocked if Ian Thomas becomes a reliable tight end averaging somewhere between 8-10 points per game due to Bridgewater liking tight ends.

Flash Game

Ian Thomas had an amazing week 14 when filling in for an injured Greg Olsen. Thomas had 5 catches for 57 yards and 1 Touchdown. That totals to 16.7 PPR points and 11.7 standard points. Thomas showed he can step up and be the number 1 tight end in Carolina. Now, Thomas is scheduled to have a full season as the number 1 tight end. Don’t be surprised if Thomas becomes a solid and reliable fantasy tight end.

Brady Effect

Not Tom Brady, Joe Brady. Joe Brady was the LSU passing game coordinator this past college football season. He is now the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. Brady was the offensive, assistant for the Saints in 2017 and 2018, so his system is very New Orleans-based. Bridgewater thrived in that very system. While at LSU, Thaddeus Moss was 4th on the team in catches, yards, and touchdowns. This system will allow Ian Thomas to thrive and make Bridgewater a prime breakout candidate.

Who The Fuck is That Guy? Fantasy Football 2020: Damiere Byrd

Path to Playing Time

Wrapping up Ian Thomas and every player in the “Who The Fuck is That Guy” series: Path to playing time. Ian Thomas has an incredible path to playing time as he is listed as the first-string tight end on the Panthers depth chart (per ESPN). Thomas simply has to play well enough to ward off Chris Manhertz and Temarrick Hemingway. Expect a breakout year for Ian Thomas, the tight end no one seems to be talking about.

Check out our Fantasy Show on our Youtube Channel!