Vikings UDFA Profile: North Carolina State WR Thayer Thomas

Thomas is a shifty, explosive wide receiver prospect who can also return punts.

Over the next couple weeks, Inside the Vikings will be taking a look at all 15 members of Minnesota's 2023 undrafted free agent class.

Vikings UDFA profile: North Carolina State WR Thayer Thomas

• Size: 6'0", 198
• RAS: 7.85
• 2022 stats: 57 catches, 642 yards, 4 rec TD, 1 pass TD

Thayer Thomas walked onto the NC State football team in 2017, redshirted his first year, then spent the next five seasons as an important wide receiver and punt returner for the Wolfpack. A dominant three-sport athlete in high school, he also played for the NC State baseball team in 2019 and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 33rd round that year.

Over the last three seasons, Thomas averaged 50 catches, 589 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns. He had five career 100-yard receiving performances, two of which came last season. Thomas was NC State's punt returner during his entire five-year career, averaging 9.7 yards on 70 career returns with one touchdown. He was also used as a passer on a number of trick plays, completing 7 of 14 career attempts for 194 yards (27.7 yards per completion!) and four touchdowns.

Thayer Thomas came to NC State as a walk on. He now has more career receiving touchdowns in an NC State uniform than anyone not named Torry Holt. Pretty cool career arc. pic.twitter.com/peKz7fWh9P

— Andrew Schnittker (@aschnitt53) September 25, 2022

Thomas has a strong combination of size and athleticism, highlighted by excellent numbers in the short shuttle and vertical jump. His 4.57 40 is weird, as he posted a slow ten-yard split, a fast 20-yard split, and just an average overall time. Thomas is shifty as a route-runner and has the quickness to explode in and out of his breaks.

Already 24 years old, Thomas faces an uphill battle to carve out an NFL career. His production and athleticism are reminiscent of Blake Proehl, another North Carolina native who played in his home state (at ECU) and signed with the Vikings as a UDFA two years ago. Proehl has managed to stick around on Minnesota's practice squad and injured reserve over the past two seasons.

The Vikings' depth chart at receiver is pretty open after the top three, so Thomas will have an opportunity to beat out players like Proehl and Trishton Jackson and his fellow undrafted rookies for a practice squad spot. His experience as a punt returner works in his favor, as NFL teams are always looking for special teams ability.

All I’ve ever needed was an opportunity. https://t.co/w3K07ixVhC

— Thayer Thomas (@thayerthomas1) April 30, 2023

Vikings' offseason wide receiver depth chart:

• Justin Jefferson
• Jordan Addison (rookie)
• K.J. Osborn
• Jalen Nailor
• Brandon Powell
• Jalen Reagor
• Trishton Jackson
• Blake Proehl
• Malik Knowles (rookie)
• Thayer Thomas (rookie)
• Cephus Johnson III (rookie)

Other Vikings UDFA profiles

Baylor TE Ben Sims

Indiana CB Jaylin Williams

Oklahoma CB C.J. Coldon

Georgia Southern CB NaJee Thompson

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