Michael Thomas was drafted No. 47 overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. 83 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 60 career approximate value
2016 NFL Draft · Rd 2, Pick 16 · #47 overall
Michael Thomas Ohio State Draft
Michael Thomas was drafted No. 47 overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. 83 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 60 career approximate value
2× All-Pro 3× Pro Bowl
- Overall pick
- #47
- Round
- 2
- Draft class
- 2016
- NFL games
- 83
- Years as starter
- 4
- Career AV
- 6018th at Ohio State
- Pro Bowls
- 3
- All-Pro
- 2
The pick
How Michael Thomas came off the board in 2016.
- Position
- Wide receiver WR
- College
-
Ohio State
Big Ten at the draft
- Measurables
- 6'3" · 212 lbs
- Hometown
- Los Angeles, CA
- Pre-draft board
- No. 37 prospect86.0 grade
- Side of the ball
- Offense
NFL career
83 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 60 career approximate value
- Games played
- 83
- Seasons as a starter
- 4
- Career approximate value
- 6018th among Ohio State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 60100% of career value
- Final season
- 20237 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 2× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
Around pick 47
Who came off the board on either side of Michael Thomas.
Alabama · 1× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl
Indiana
Ohio State in the 2016 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Joey Bosa
DE · LAC
Ohio State · 5× Pro Bowl
#4
Ezekiel Elliott
RB · DAL
Ohio State · 1× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
#10
Eli Apple
CB · NYG
Ohio State
#16
Taylor Decker
T · DET
Ohio State · 1× Pro Bowl
#20
Darron Lee
OLB · NYJ
Ohio State
#61
Vonn Bell
S · NO
Ohio State
#80
Adolphus Washington
DT · BUF
Ohio State
#85
Braxton Miller
WR · HOU
Ohio State
#94
Nick Vannett
TE · SEA
Ohio State
#102
Joshua Perry
ILB · LAC
Ohio State
#139
Cardale Jones
QB · BUF
Ohio State
Other WR picks from Ohio State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Terry McLaurin
WR · WAS · 2019
Ohio State · 2× Pro Bowl
#20
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
WR · SEA · 2023
Ohio State · 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
#7
Terry Glenn
WR · NE · 1996
Ohio State · 1× Pro Bowl
#8
David Boston
WR · ARI · 1999
Ohio State · 1× All-Pro · 1× Pro Bowl
#8
Joey Galloway
WR · SEA · 1995
Ohio State
#46
Jeff Graham
WR · PIT · 1991
Ohio State
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Michael Thomas in the 2016 NFL Draft
Michael Thomas is a Wide receiver out of Ohio State selected No. 47 overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2016 NFL Draft. 83 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 60 career approximate value Ohio State has produced 284 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Michael Thomas drafted?
Michael Thomas was selected No. 47 overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2016 NFL Draft (Rd 2, Pick 16). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2016/michael-thomas.
What college did Michael Thomas play for?
Michael Thomas played college football at Ohio State in the Big Ten. See every Ohio State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/ohio-state-buckeyes.
How did Michael Thomas's NFL career turn out?
83 regular-season games · 4 seasons as a starter · 60 career approximate value Accolades: 2× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2016/michael-thomas.