There is significant interest in Brian Thomas Jr. around the NFL if the Jacksonville Jaguars decide to trade the former first-round pick.
While the Jaguars have not reportedly expressed considerable interest in moving on from Thomas, according to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Las Vegas Raiders may be ideal landing spots for the third-year wide receiver.
“Teams are curious to see what, if anything, the Jaguars plan to do with 2024 first-round wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr,” Graziano wrote. “This has been the case since the offseason, though the Jaguars were telling teams then that they weren't interested in moving Thomas. That might continue to be the case. But the team has clearly moved toward Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers as the top passing-game targets for Trevor Lawrence, and while they're using Travis Hunter almost exclusively on defense, they have not given up plans for him to contribute on offense in some way this season.
“So other teams will continue to inquire about Thomas, who's perceived as a No. 1 wide receiver talent but might not be a great fit with Lawrence's strengths. I think it would take a strong offer to get the Jags to move Thomas, but he's another name worth watching in the coming weeks ahead of what could be a very interesting trade deadline at the WR position. San Francisco, Kansas City and even Las Vegas — if the Raiders believe they can hang in contention this season — could be spots to watch for potential receiver acquisitions in-season.”
Through three games this season, Thomas has seven receptions for 88 yards and no touchdowns. After a rookie season in which he posted 87 catches, 1,282 yards, and 10 touchdowns, his numbers dipped last year, during which he played in 14 games and caught 48 balls for 707 yards and 2 TDs.
A 6-foot-3 target out of LSU, the Jaguars selected Thomas 23rd overall in the 2024 draft. In his rookie season, he was named to the Pro Bowl, as well as the All-Rookie Team.
If Thomas were to be traded, Jacksonville would have a dead-cap penalty of $2.9 million this year and $1.9 million next year. He is due to make $2.8 million next season and carry a $4.7 million cap hit. A club option exists for the following season in 2028.
The Jaguars travel to Cincinnati this weekend to face the Bengals before traveling to their second home and playing the Philadelphia Eagles in London on Oct. 11.