National Football League

Chiefs Reid says Thomas was a de-facto WR in 2014 anyway

Published Jun. 8, 2015 11:29 p.m. ET

foxsports

Andy Reid's decision to have De'Anthony Thomas swap positions was pretty much a no-brainer.

After all, the Chiefs head coach said his second-year speedster was more receiver than running back throughout 2014.

“Really, last year, he ended up being more of a receiver than running back,” Reid told the Kansas City Star. “He is still taking the ball-handling, still doing stuff in the running back position, but the majority of his snaps were from that receiver position."

Thomas had more receptions than rushing attempts last season. He was never going to dethrone Jamaal Charles, so Reid is right to put him in a position to succeed.

Plus, the head coach worked well with ballcarrier-turned-receiver Dexter McCluster in his first season with the Chiefs. Now, Reid gets to draw up plays for an even speedier offensive weapon.

It helps that Thomas is working hard to master his new spot.

“He worked like crazy at it," Reid said. "He and Jason Avant sit next to each other, they talk all the time. Jason is one of the great route runners in this business, so Jason has been a great help to him, I think. And he’s been working his tail off like a wild man.”

(h/t Kansas City Star)