T
he NFL Draft is coming. In just a couple of weeks, all 32 teams will gather together and select players among the NFL’s newest crop of rookies, hoping to find the missing piece to their puzzle of success. For some teams, the draft is about finding pieces to build around while for others, the draft is simply about finding guys who can keep the standards for the franchise high.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will enter this draft locked in and focused. Finishing the regular season 13-4– their most wins since 1999– the Jaguars had Super Bowl aspirations but saw those quickly end in the wild card playoffs. Back to the drawing board, the Jaguars are ready to show that last year was no fluke and that they have what it takes to be a contender again this season. And according to a recent Fox Sports article, the Jaguars could make a move on draft day that shows just how serious they are about contending again in 2026– trading former first round pick, Brian Thomas Jr.
Fox Sports’ Prediction
After the Jaguars selected Thomas Jr. 23rd overall in the 2024 draft, he was an immediate star, starting 16 games as a rookie and catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. Entering 2025, the Jaguars expected Thomas Jr. to be a true No. 1 receiver but instead, he struggled mightily in his first year in head coach Liam Coen’s system. Catching only 48 passes for 707 yards and two touchdowns, Thomas Jr. dealt with serious drop issues and now faces immense pressure to step up in year two. But Fox Sports has the Jaguars trading Thomas Jr., giving them assets to help them win-now while avoiding the stress of having to worry about Thomas Jr’s production.
“Yes, the Bills already got WR DJ Moore from Chicago for a second-round pick. But they need to do better for QB Josh Allen, so why not go all-in on their biggest need and turn it into a strength?,” Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano wrote. “The Jags say they won’t trade Thomas, even after a terrible season, but they don’t have a first-round pick, so if the Bills dangle their first-rounder, maybe Jacksonville will change its mind. With Allen, two top receivers and RB James Cook, the Bills’ offense might be impossible to stop. And if they can finally end their Super Bowl drought, it would be well worth the price.”
Trading up to select Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall, the Jaguars do not own a first round pick this year but Fox Sports predicts that the Jaguars will land the No. 26 overall pick from the Bills in a potential Thomas Jr. trade. And if that really is the price tag, the Jaguars may be enticed to move on from their rising star.
Thomas’ Career Thus Far
A three year star at LSU, leading all of college football in receiving touchdowns in 2023 and being a second-team All-SEC selection that season as well, Thomas Jr. was a very highly touted prospect entering the draft. Originally recruited by Ed Orgeron, Thomas Jr. opted to stay at LSU under Brian Kelly and was a key part in helping the Tigers go 10-4 in 2022 and earn a spot in the SEC Championship game.
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