Jackson Free Press

So far, the way that rookies have played has significantly impacted the 2016 NFL season. In Dallas, quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott are not only in contention for the Rookie of the Year but also for the NFL MVP award.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has been another impact rookie. His play has eased the pain of the Saints releasing former No. 1 receiver Marques Colston, who is the franchise's all-time leader in receptions and touchdowns.

New Orleans drafted Thomas in the second round with the 47th overall pick out of Ohio State University. The wide receiver signed a four-year deal with the Saints in May.

It didn't take long for the former Buckeye to make an impression on the other players and the coaches in New Orleans. He spent training camp making spectacular catches and building a relationship with Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Adding Thomas to New Orleans' already high-powered offense has helped speedster wide receiver Brandin Cooks and wide receiver Willie Snead find more open space. Thomas made several show-stopping catches this season, including a must-see touchdown catch against the San Francisco 49ers.

After nine games in this season, he leads the Saints in receptions with 51 completed catches and is second on the team with 613 yards, but he also leads all rookies in both categories. Thomas has five touchdowns, which is fourth best among rookies, and he earned NFL Rookie of the Week Honors twice.

Thomas received the title for the first time in week seven, after catching 10 passes for 130 yards. He earned his second honor in week nine, making five catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

Ohio State recruited Thomas out of Woodland Hills Taft High School, located in the San Fernando Valley in California. As a college freshman in 2012, he played in 11 games as a role player for the undefeated Buckeyes, but due to NCAA violations, he couldn't play for a title.

Thomas was redshirted his sophomore season in 2013 but returned the next season to make 54 catches for 799 yards and nine touchdowns as Ohio State won the national championship. In 2015, his final season with the Buckeyes, he made 56 catches for 781 yards and nine touchdowns.

The wide receiver has enjoyed success at every level of football without much disappointment. That is, until this past Sunday, Nov. 13, in a 25-23 loss against the Denver Broncos.

Thomas fumbled for the first time in his NFL career, letting the Broncos strip him twice in their dramatic win. His fumbles were two of the four turnovers that the Saints committed in game. The team lost when the Broncos blocked and returned an extra-point attempt blocked for the game-winning two points.

It was a tough welcome to the league for Thomas, as he had been surprisingly good for a rookie with ball security. Every player fumbles at some point, but how will the wide receiver react to his first big mistakes in the NFL?

New Orleans will need to get Thomas back in the right mindset quickly on a short week. Today, Nov. 17, the Saints face their NFC South rival, the Carolina Panthers.

In the Saints' 41-38 win over Carolina on Oct. 16, Thomas made five catches on five targets for 78 yards and a touchdown. He also set a then career record for yards and scored a touchdown for his third consecutive game.

Thomas can turn to his uncle, NFL and University of Southern California star Keyshawn Johnson, for advice to stay on track for the rest of this season. If New Orleans is going to make a run at the playoffs, the team will need Thomas to shake off his recent mistakes and play above his NFL experience.