Amid a difficult 2024 season, then-rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was a major silver lining for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The first-round selection had 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in his debut campaign, earned a Pro Bowl honor and finished fourth in a loaded Offensive Rookie of the Year race. Now, the situation has done a complete 180.
The Jaguars are 5-2 and one of the best teams in the NFL, but Thomas is merely a fringe contributor. His 10 catches this year rank fifth on the team, and his 117 yards are tied for fifth. He has played 44% of the team's offensive snaps, the third-highest among wide receivers, but a figure that has fluctuated week to week.
He played just 21% of the snaps in a narrow Week 6 loss to the Texans before playing 52% of the snaps (and catching a touchdown pass) in a blowout win over the Colts. That touchdown snag was his first catch since Week 4. Coach Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence backed Thomas and highlighted his importance on several occasions.
"I was super excited," Lawrence said of the touchdown pass Sunday. "It's a team game, and you want to see all your teammates have success, especially the situation with BT. I mean, the guy's so talented, he's a great player, and obviously hasn't been the easiest for him lately, but he's been working extremely hard to make plays." The Jaguars have a deep stead of receiving options: Wide receivers Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers, tight end Brenton Strange and running back Bhayshul Tuten all have more catches than Thomas does.
But Thomas also adds a deep downfield element that no one else on the team does, even if it hasn't resulted in many box score contributions. If the Jaguars are willing to part ways with Thomas — and that's a major "if" — there would be plenty of suitors. Here are four who could make sense, along with the packages they could offer.
In this instance, we'll use the trade package for another 2024 first-round wide receiver who's had many ups and downs, Marvin Harrison Jr., as a framework. The Texans sent 2027 second- and seventh-round picks to the Cardinals for Harrison and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Chiefs receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.Jaguars receive: 2027 third-round pick, 2028 sixth-round pick The Chiefs have an extra third-round pick in 2027 from the Trent McDuffie trade and a desperate need for a wide receiver who can stretch the defense.
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