BrianThomas Jr.

News: 4 days agoThe Jaguars have relayed to inquiring teams that they intend to keep Thomas through Tuesday's trade deadline, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Spin: After sending out a first-round pick, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick Monday in separate deals to bring in defenders Jordan Davis, Jessie Bates and Davon Godchaux, the Jaguars likely could have recouped some of that draft capital if they had opted to move Thomas. Instead, Fowler indicates that the Jaguars plan to keep the rest of their roster intact ahead of the deadline, which will result in Thomas sticking around. Rather than operating as the high-volume target earner he was during his banner 2024 rookie campaign, Thomas looks like he'll continue to serve mainly as a vertical threat who frees up opportunities in the short and intermediate areas for other pass catchers. Thomas has drawn three or fewer targets in six straight games, producing a weak 4-37-2 receiving line during that stretch.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Thomas is one of the biggest wild cards in fantasy after a roller-coaster start to his career. The 2024 first-round pick was fantasy's No. 4-scoring wide receiver as a rookie, but only played at that WR1 level with Mac Jones under center. Thomas averaged 5.8 targets and 14.4 fantasy PPG with Trevor Lawrence under center that season, and was even worse with Lawrence in 2025 (6.2 targets, 9.9 PPG). With Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington and Travis Hunter in the mix, Thomas was utilized as more of a vertical threat in 2025 (his 14.4 aDOT was fourth highest), which led to a big dip in catch rate and touchdowns, as well as more drops. The Jaguars offense is suddenly very crowded, so Thomas is more likely to be a boom/bust flex than he is the superstar we expected one year ago. The 23-year-old's raw talent makes him worth middle-round consideration.