Jaguars’ 2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr. looks as advertised in Jacksonville’s third preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence found Thomas open on an intermediate, in-breaking route for a gain of 38 yards. Thomas showed off his wheels during the play, accumulating 21 of those yards after the catch.
Trevor Lawrence finds the rookie Brian Thomas Jr. for the big gain!
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The Jaguars eventually scored via an Evan Engram touchdown catch, capping off a nine-play, 92-yard drive to take an early 7-0 lead.
Using his 6-foot-3, 209-pound frame, Thomas excelled at LSU in the vertical passing game. However, in his transition from college to the NFL, some experts had concerns about Thomas’s ability to contribute to the short and intermediate passing games, especially against NFL competition.
But if this middle-of-the-field catch and his preseason performance are any indication, Thomas could emerge as a weapon in Trevor Lawrence’s repertoire.
Jaguars’ offensive coordinator Press Taylor acknowledged Thomas’ growth as he maneuvers his first NFL preseason.
“For that to carry over, for him to make a play in that first preseason game, you just saw his confidence rise, for him to perform well in joint practices against Tampa,” Taylor said Wednesday. “You just see this progression and you see a little bit more of him becoming who we knew he would be.”
While Taylor has been quick to praise Thomas this preseason, he believes the best is yet to come from his rookie receiver.
“Again, I think he’s a long way from where he’s going to be in two weeks, let alone 18 weeks from now,” said Taylor. “It’s just been cool to see him build the confidence in himself, build the confidence in the work he’s put in and I think he’s just going to continue to grow from here.”