After a foot injury limited his time in training camp and kept him out of the Denver Broncos’ season opener, rookie wide receiver Demaryius Thomas showed he can be the big, strong playmaking receiver that Brandon Marshall was when he was a Bronco. He also showed why we picked him as a wide receiver to watch for early in the season.

In his first regular-season game, Thomas caught eight passes for 97 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos’ 31-14 win against the Seattle Seahawks. Thomas showed that he can play a starring role in the Broncos offense, and led the team in receptions and receiving yards. Quarterback Kyle Orton had a great day, along with running back Knowshon Moreno and receiver Eddie Royal. Thomas, Moreno, Royal and receiver Brandon Lloyd all went over 50 yards receiving on the day.

Though it’s still very early, and it was only one game, it looks like it’s time to seriously consider picking up Thomas. His injury kept him off the field for a while, so there could be a high chance that he’s available in your league. If he is, and you’re looking for a second or third receiver, Thomas would be a great choice. If he can stay healthy and use his size against smaller defensive backs, he could have a great rookie season. The Broncos did lose an elite wide receiver in Marshall, but in time, Thomas could fill in well for him. If Orton can continue to get his other receivers involved, Thomas should see favorable matchups throughout the year. Moreno leads the rushing attack, and can also contribute as a receiver out of the backfield. Royal has dangerous speed, and is coming off a down year in 2009. He can be a great number two or slot receiver for Orton. Receiver Jabar Gaffney caught 54 passes last year, and looks like another reliable option. Both Royal and Gaffney can be solid as a supporting cast to complement a number one receiver. That’s where Thomas comes in. If he can continue playing like he did against Seattle, he can take control of the Broncos’ number one receiver spot and become Orton’s main target.

If Thomas indeed does become the go-to guy in Denver this year, he has the chance to be one of the premier young wide outs in the game. He’s in a good situation in Denver, with a solid quarterback who doesn’t make too many mistakes, and has a good amount of weapons around him. Keep track of him for another week or two if you’re not convinced, but picking him looks like a good move for your team.