2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Brian Thomas Jr.

Strengths

• Ideal size at 6'4", 205 lbs and can move smoothly for someone that big
• Dangerous straight-line speed, a big play waiting to happen
• Fifteen 20+ yard receptions in 2023 (third most in CFB)
• 23 forced missed tackles on 127 career catches
• Adjusts to the ball in the air, acrobatic catches are firmly in his repertoire

Weaknesses

• Short and intermediate route tree is still a work in progress. Inconsistent to stem off and separate, route breaks feel unintentional
• Releases suffer from the same lack of refinement, doesn't threaten DBs with anything but verticality at the LOS
• Doesn't have many answers against jams
• More of a ball tracker than a ball attacker 
• One-year wonder in terms of production, career yards per route ran under two yards

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Brian Thomas Jr.

Thomas Jr. possesses one of the most well-rounded athletic profiles in the 2024 NFL Draft. He's big, fast, and fluid, which was a lethal combination this past season at LSU.

I expect him to be a game-changing deep threat from the jump in his NFL career. His field-flipping speed is what impacts a game the most.

Thomas Jr. flashes the movement skills to expand as a route runner and separator. He just needs to sharpen his technique for all of it to come together.

That said, I would prefer Thomas Jr. land with a team that will initially deploy him as a complementary option. I wouldn't feel as great if I had to rely on him to immediately do the meat-and-potatoes aspect of the position as an every-down receiver.

He could still be utilized effectively while growing into a more complete wide receiver if brought along slowly. The problem is, not many of those environments exist. If Thomas Jr. gets drafted as high as his traits suggest, he'll be expected to start producing sooner rather than later.

One could argue that the Chicago Bears need No. 2 and 3 wide receivers, so I don't know if the Windy City is the best landing spot for Thomas Jr. if thrust into a No. 2 role. He's more of a long-term proposition, but I'm sure that Shane Waldron could find use for that speed early on.

Pro Comparison: Christian Watson