The Houston Texans have signed defensive back Michael Thomas ahead of the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Houston Texans Head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien spoke briefly in his predraft video conference about a potential player out in free agency that the special teams’ staff was banging on the table for the Texans to get.
"I got a text yesterday from one of our special teams coaches talking to me about a guy – I don’t want to mention his name, but a free agent that’s out there that they’ve had experience coaching in the past and that they think could really fit our team."
The player that Houston was contemplating has now been revealed as the Texans have signed 2019 Pro Bowl special teamer Michael Thomas according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Thomas is coming home after playing his high school football in Houston at Nimitz. Thomas will be a welcomed addition to the Texans special teams unit that has drastically improved since Brad Seely was hired in 2018.
Undrafted from Stanford in 2012, Thomas signed with the San Francisco 49ers and spent his entire rookie season on their practice squad. The Miami Dolphins signed Thomas off the Niners practice squad the next season contributing on defense and special teams before he was placed on the injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle injury. Thomas spent four more seasons with the Dolphins before hitting free agency.
He signed with the New York Giants to a two-year deal. Thomas played two seasons with the Giants and earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2019 as an alternate on special teams. He is a seasoned veteran with seven seasons in the league and he will be a favorite to make the final roster with a strong backing in the coaching staff.
Thomas will have an immediate impact on Texans’ special teams and he seems to be the safety Houston decided to bring over free agent Eric Reid due to the proven impact he brings on special teams.
However, Thomas also offers some versatility as the third or fourth safety on the depth chart that can step in the defensive rotation.
Thomas has started in 33 games of the 88 he has been active with 297 tackles, 15 pass deflections, three interceptions, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Texans still have a busy day ahead of them with the second round and third rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft today.