BrianThomas Jr.

News: 6 days agoThomas secured one of two targets for 41 yards in the Jaguars' 26-13 preseason win over the Chiefs on Saturday night.

Spin: One play after his first target from C.J. Beathard fell incomplete, Thomas and the journeyman signal-caller connected on a 41-yard completion down the left side late in the first quarter. It was an auspicious start to the rookie first-round pick's on-field NFL career, and the play offered a glimpse of the talent that could enable Thomas to eventually make a push for the Jaguars' No. 2 receiver job.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Selecting Thomas in the first round highlights the Jaguars' clear agenda this offseason to provide Trevor Lawrence with an upgraded collection of downfield playmakers. Overshadowed to a degree by LSU teammate Malik Nabers' prolific prospect profile, Thomas established quite the collegiate career of his own. After all, his 12 touchdown hauls on passes of at least 20 yards downfield last season marks the most by any FBS player in a season since ESPN Stats & Information began tracking air yards in 2011. Lawrence, meanwhile, is third in the NFL in passes of least 10 air yards since the start of the 2022 campaign. The rare rookie from this class with a projection for a triple-digit target workload, taking Thomas in the late-middle rounds of your draft could prove profitable.