Here's why the Chiefs kept WR De'Anthony Thomas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Given his speed, quickness and ability to give his team some favorable matchups with linebackers and other slower defenders, De’Anthony Thomas has -- by a lot of measures -- been a disappointment in his two years with the Kansas City Chiefs.

By the most important measure of all, though, Thomas has been a valuable player for the Chiefs, and it’s why they kept him on their roster again this season: The Chiefs have been better offensively with Thomas on the field than without.

In 2014, Thomas’ rookie season, the Chiefs averaged 6.5 yards per play when he was on the field, regardless of whether he got the ball or not. They averaged 5.0 yards per play when he wasn’t. They…