Michael Thomas or Chris Godwin: Which WR is the Safer Fantasy Football Pick?

Michael Thomas - SIC Score 77 

(FantasyPros: 0.5-point PPR Average Draft Position 69.7)

In recent practice videos, the 2019 AP Offensive Player of the Year has looked better on his ailing left ankle. Our Pro Football Docs initially gave him a season SIC score of 59 in mid-May, but have since increased it to 77. While that’s not quite where Thomas and Saints fans want his progress to be, it’s a significant step forward after missing one-and-a-half seasons and undergoing multiple ankle surgeries. 

The recent hamstring strain is a slight concern, but he should be on the field Week 1. His ceiling will depend on how the Saints deploy their new weapons in Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry, but there’s plenty of upside for the three-time Pro Bowler at his average draft position. He has missed key time to develop rapport with Jameis Winston, who has missed time with a foot injury, but the quarterback play for the Saints will be much improved from last season.

Chris Godwin - SIC Score 62 

(FantasyPros: 0.5-point PPR Average Draft Position 70.3)

The Buccaneers’ sixth-year wideout suffered a torn right ACL on Dec. 19, 2021 and started training camp on the PUP list. He was activated from the PUP list and returned to practice on Aug. 5 sporting a hefty brace on his right leg. Despite his surprise early-camp activation, he is unlikely to be ready Week 1, according to the Pro Football Docs.

He has a season SIC score of 62, meaning at best he’s likely to reach 62% of his typical output when healthy. When he was injured Week 15 he led the league in receiving yards, with 1,103, and receptions, with 98. Even though he missed the final three weeks of the season, he finished 11th overall in receptions and 15th in receiving yards. Look at the second half of the season for him to begin replicating that type of production.