2024 Jaguars Rookie Brian Thomas Jr Could Be Next Elite LSU WR

The Jacksonville Jaguars were supposed to emerge as the dominant power in the AFC South in 2023. Trevor Lawrence's late-season heroics of 2022, which led to a 9-8 finish and a thrilling playoff victory, excited a beleaguered, long-suffering fan base. The Jaguars added Calvin Ridley via trade to be the No. 1 receiver for the 2023 season to boost the offense. Lawrence and Ridley fizzled as a combination, and the Jaguars missed the playoffs despite going 9-8 for the second year in a row.

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Jaguars Roll The Dice On Another 1st Round Receiver

The breakout season was not to be as Lawrence struggled with injuries. The Jaguars got off to a promising 6-2 start but faded to finish 9-8 and missed the AFC playoffs for the 20th time this century. Ridley departed for the Jaguars' biggest rival, the Tennessee Titans this offseason. Jacksonville was back at square one, looking for a top receiver to pair with Christian Kirk. In April, General Manager Trent Baalke and Head Coach Doug Pederson selected Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU with the 23rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to replace Ridley.

Jacksonville had selected a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft four times since joining the league in 1995. The kindest assessment is that RJ Soward, Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, and Justin Blackmon's careers were underwhelming. Baalke and Pederson were not involved in those draft picks. Despite the sordid history, the Jaguars plunged ahead, hoping the recent success of LSU wide receivers could overcome a legacy of failure at evaluating first-round talent at the position.

Jaguars Look To Pair Rookie WR With Trevor Lawrence

Pederson and Lawrence were a potent pairing in 2022 and seemed poised to take a significant step forward after a loss to Kansas City in the divisional round. In 2023, the passing offense should have improved with the addition of Ridley, but it did not materialize. Thomas led the FBS in touchdown receptions last season while paired with the Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels at LSU. He provides Lawrence with his first actual deep threat at wide receiver.

Thomas is tall and has blazing speed, which could be a lethal combination with the Jaguars' newly minted $275 million quarterback. Lawrence to Thomas has the potential to rival the Mark Brunell to Jimmy Smith combination that propelled the Jaguars to two AFC Championship games in their first five seasons. Paired with Evan Engram and Christian Kirk, along with a healthy Lawrence, the Jaguars offense could be potent enough to produce epic shootouts when they meet the Houston Texans offense led by Quarterback CJ Stroud.

Final Thoughts

LSU wide receivers have dominated over the last decade. Justin Jefferson is currently the highest-paid receiver in the NFL and might soon be eclipsed by Ja'Marr Chase. Thomas could add his name as the next LSU star receiver at the top of the NFL in 2024 and make a significant impact in Jacksonville. He will compete with his classmate Malik Nabers, who the New York Giants selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

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Article originally written by Bob Quinn