The Jacksonville Jaguars came to terms with fifth-round safety Daniel Thomas Monday. The news comes as rookies reported to the team facility Monday for COVID-19 testing.
Thomas was taken with the No. 157 overall pick after he started in all of Auburns games from 2018-19. In 2019, he accumulated 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. The year prior, he was able to garner the same total in tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions (including a pick-six), broke up three passes, and forced two fumbles.
Thomas is a player who we’ve warned fans to keep an eye out for as he has a chance to compete with Jarrod Wilson for a starting safety spot. Unfortunately, he’ll have an irregular preseason to try to achieve the feat, but with a 8.43 Relative Athletic Score, he’s a better athlete than some know.
With pick 157 in the 2020 NFL Draft, the #Jaguars selected Daniel Thomas, FS, Auburn.
He posted a great #RAS with okay size, good speed, great explosiveness, good agility at the FS position.https://t.co/a6xEltK3br#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/wVQOhpMGJr
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 25, 2020
If Thomas can’t win a starting job, he’ll undoubtedly get some time to shine on special teams, which could keep him on the team until he potentially develops into a starter.
Per Over the Cap, his deal is estimated to be a four-year deal worth $3,612,116 with a prorated signing bonus of $317,116 that will be evenly distributed over the course of the years on his contract.