Brian Thomas

Jaguars selected LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

A truly special deep threat for the Tigers, Thomas (6’3/209) averaged 17.3 yards per reception in 2023 and scored on 17 of his 68 catches. Yes, Thomas quite literally scored one out of every four grabs. Bonkers stuff borne out by the advanced stats, which include Thomas catching 14-of-18 deep looks and earning a 99.9 “deep grade” from PFF. Thomas also corralled 7-of-12 contested targets. The problems set in elsewhere, where Thomas understandably was not featured on manufactured looks. Capable of being bumped off his routes, Thomas enters the league with less “play strength” than the big three of Marvin Harrison, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze despite his 6-foot-3 frame. Thomas doesn’t so much “play big” as he does burn deep. And burn he does, with a truly absurd-for-his-size 4.33 40 time. On the whole, Thomas needs to add (a lot) more polish to his route-running and underneath game, but his athleticism and deep prowess are both NFL-ready. Just 21 years old, Thomas has ample ceiling to grow into. Thomas could take over Calvin Ridley’s role in the offense now that Ridley is in Tennessee. Ridley made his money by earning targets while pinned to the sideline. Thomas has the speed to blow by defenders, turning those 50/50 balls into easy grabs for Trevor Lawrence.