The Jacksonville Jaguars selected former LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Per Spotrac, Thomas is expected to earn a four-year, fully-guaranteed $14.6 million contract with the Jaguars, including a $7.4 million signing bonus and a fifth year option in 2028.
After two middling seasons at LSU, Thomas broke out in a big way in 2023. In 13 games, he hauled in 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns. Thomas earned second-team All-SEC honors. He and fellow NFL Draft prospect Malik Nabers combined to make up arguably the best receiver tandem in the country last season.
Thomas played high school football for Walker in Walker, Louisiana, where he was a four-star prospect. He ranked as the No. 93 overall prospect and No. 15 receiver in the 2021 class, according to the On3 Industry Rating, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Brian Thomas Jr.
Lance Zierlein of NFL Network gave Thomas a 6.47 prospect grade, fourth among receiver prospects. Zierlein projects Thomas to become a good NFL starter within two years.
“Presents an appealing combination of size, length and speed with experience working inside and outside,” Zierlein wrote. “Thomas will occasionally go through the motions as a route-runner, but the bend, athleticism and speed needed to get better are all in the toolbox. He’s elusive against press and can uncover quickly underneath, but he still needs to improve intermediate routes and play a little more physically when crowded to become well-rounded.
“Thomas rarely has issues generating separation deep and could be counted on as an NFL team’s designated deep guy early in his career. Thomas is unpolished but has projectable talent to become a WR1/2 in time.”
Zierlein isn’t the only one with high hopes for Thomas. NFL insider Matt Miller compared the Louisiana native to Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins.
“[LSU’s] other wide receiver, Brian Thomas – who happened to lead the nation with 17 touchdown catches last year. He is someone that can stretch the field vertically, he can beat you over the top,” Miller said. “I compared him to Tee Higgins, but here’s the thing. I think he’s actually faster than Tee was coming out of college. There could be some 4.3 ability here.
“He’s someone in the top 20, once we get past those big three receivers, I think a lot of teams are gonna fall in love with Brian Thomas Jr. this week. I know I have, watching the tape, so I think general managers are going to do the same because he’s an electric vertical threat.”
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