Jaguars Named Best Fit For Former All-Pro Wide Receiver

The Jacksonville Jaguars suffered a major loss in free agency, losing wide receiver Calvin Ridley to the Tennessee Titans. That’s an AFC South division rival, too.

The Jaguars did sign fellow wide out Gabe Davis, but he isn’t quite a replacement for Ridley.

At this point, Jacksonville won’t be able to find an individual receiver who can replicate Ridley’s production in 2024 unless it gets fortunate in the NFL Draft.

However, what the Jags can do is add depth to their receiver room behind Davis and Christian Kirk, and Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus thinks they would be a great fit for Michael Thomas.

Thomas was once one of the top wide outs in the league, making three straight trips to the Pro Bowl with the New Orleans Saints between 2017 and 2019 while also earning a First-Team All-Pro selection.

On top of that, Thomas led the league in receptions in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019, topping out at a ridiculous 149 in the latter campaign. He also paced the NFL with 1,725 yards that year.

Since then, however, injuries have derailed Thomas’ career.

An ankle issue limited Thomas to just seven games in 2020, and he missed all of the following season after undergoing surgery to repair the issue.

Thomas returned to play just three contests in 2022 before bowing out with a foot injury, and this past year, he participated in only 10 games. During his time on the field in 2023, he logged 39 catches for 448 yards and a touchdown.

The 31-year-old is clearly past his prime, as injuries have sapped him of most of his elite ability. Still, he represents an interesting option as a No. 3 or 4 receiver in the right circumstances.

Expecting Thomas to play a full 17-game campaign may be an exercise in futility at this point, but he does bring some upside on a one-year deal.

Especially for a Jaguars squad that is obviously in need of some help in its receiving corps.

Jacksonville went 9-8 and missed the playoffs this past season.