Rookie Profile: Brian Thomas Jr, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Welcome to the Rookie Profile for Brian Thomas Jr, a Wide Receiver from LSU. He is from Walker, Louisiana, and was a 4-star recruit out of Walker High School.
During his Freshman year, Thomas Jr was an immediate producer, appearing in 12 games. During that freshman season, he hauled in 28 receptions for 359 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
His sophomore season in 2022 saw him put up nearly identical production in 13 games as he recorded 27 receptions for 330 yards but saw his touchdown total double to 4.
The 2023 season was where he exploded as a junior. In 13 games for LSU, he put up 68 receptions for a whopping 1,177 yards and an insane 17 touchdowns, solidifying himself as an elite receiving prospect.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 1 Pick 23
- Thomas Jr was a part of the second tier of wide receivers that were likely to see their stock rise or fall based on whether or not they heard their name called in the first round. He was lucky enough to sneak into the back half of the first round and his rookie draft ADP has reflected that as he is now firmly in the first round of rookie drafts. This investment by the Jaguars indicated a firm belief in his talent and showed that he would be given every chance to succeed.
Landing Spot- Jacksonville Jaguars
- The Jacksonville Jaguars were not the best landing spot in round one, but they weren’t the worst either. He goes to a Jaguars roster that has seen Calvin Ridley move on this off-season and their only real receiving threat is Christian Kirk. Thomas Jr would appear to be a great replacement for Ridley as he has a similar profile and skillset and should easily transition into the role that Ridley played last year. Whether or not he can be more productive than Ridley remains to be seen.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Starting X Wide Receiver
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Thomas Jr secured first-round draft capital and a solid opportunity to be the WR1 on his depth chart. His first-round selection should allow him enough opportunity to succeed. Even if he doesn’t hit, you will still be able to recoup your investment cost for several years. First-round picks tend to hold their value for multiple seasons in fantasy. Even Thomas Jr should be considered an insulated pick and is unlikely to burn you even if he busts. Think of past players like Quentin Johnston who were useless for fantasy as rookies but still find their sophomore cost solid.
The former LSU star receiver is in an excellent position to succeed and should be able to produce among the best in the second tier of receivers. He should be selected confidently in the 1.09 to 1.12 range in rookie drafts.
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe Sneak Peek Video of Brian Thomas Jr
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
