Sean Payton: I’d try to get Michael Thomas in fantasy football

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Plenty of people will be taking part in fantasy football drafts in the coming weeks and they’re likely looking high and low for an edge that can put them in the winner’s circle come the end of the season.

Saints coach Sean Payton might not be the likeliest tipster for such information, but he’s offering it up all the same. Payton was talking about rookie wide receiver Michael Thomas on Tuesday and used fantasy football as a way to illustrate how high the expectations are for Thomas heading into the season.

“I’ve got high expectations from him,” Payton said, via the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “Listen, I think he’s going to contribute early. And I don’t follow fantasy football, but, shoot, I’d try to have him. I think he’s going to do well.”

Thomas is behind Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead on the depth chart at the moment and tight end Coby Fleener should also get the ball a fair amount, so drafting Thomas in the early rounds may not wind up paying the biggest dividends. Having another receiver who can stretch the field for Drew Brees should be a boost for the Saints in reality football, however, and that will likely be enough to soothe Payton if his career as a fantasy pundit doesn’t take off.

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