Playmaking and picks: Jags get WR Brian Thomas, add picks in trade down

By Hays Carlyon

The Jaguars boosted their play-making ability on offense and boosted their 2025 draft haul.

That’s a good night.

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke and coach Doug Pederson selected LSU receiver Brian Thomas with the 23^rd-overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night.

The Jaguars moved down six spots in a trade with Minnesota, adding a fifth-rounder this year as well as a third and fourth-round pick in 2025.

That’s production.

The 21-year-old Thomas (6-3, 209 pounds) was one of the most dazzling players in the country last season. He caught 68 passes for 1,177 yards – a spectacular 17.3-yard average – with a whopping 17 touchdowns. Thomas caught 12 touchdowns on passes that traveled at least 20 yards downfield, the most according to ESPN since at least 2011. His average touchdown catch went 34.9 yards.

The Jaguars now have Thomas to bring electricity to the receivers room, which includes steady Christian Kirk and free agent Gabe Davis leading the way. Thomas’ arrival could signal the end for Zay Jones as a significant contributor.

There are concerns. Thomas only had one strong year of production at LSU. He also was the secondary receiver at LSU. Defenses focused on Malik Nabers, who the New York Giants took with the sixth pick.

The Jaguars did pass on taking the first corner off the board at 17 to make the trade. Even at 23, the Jaguars passed on Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.

That position will need to be addressed on Friday, either with the 48^th pick or at No. 96.

Still, it’s hard to argue with getting quarterback Trevor Lawrence a receiver he can grow with over ideally at least the next five years. Kirk, Davis and Jones are unlikely to be here beyond the 2025 season.

Boosting the 2025 draft class to a healthy nine picks also bodes well for the future.

The Jaguars got better on Thursday in the immediate and into the future.

(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @HaysCarlyon).