April 25, 2024
The Jaguars selected Thomas in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 23rd overall.
ANALYSISJacksonville managed to trade back from 17 and still get the No. 4 receiver in the class in Thomas. With
Calvin Ridley gone, a
Brandon Aiyuk trade not materializing, and
Gabe Davis checking in as the only free-agent addition at wideout, receiver was a need in Duval. Thomas comes to Jacksonville after a stellar junior season at LSU in which he led the nation in receiving touchdowns (17) and caught 68 of 89 targets for 1,177 yards (13.2 YPT). He's a lanky wideout at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds with blazing straight-line speed (4.33 40). It's worth noting that Thomas never had more than 361 yards in a season before his breakout, and that he played with a Heisman-winning quarterback and alongside
Malik Nabers. Thomas fits nicely as a vertical option in this offense, but Davis,
Christian Kirk and
Evan Engram threaten his target ceiling for now. The LSU star could be explosive on a per-target basis as a rookie, but his viability in all fantasy formats will depend on just that, because a high catch volume appears unlikely with his profile.