Advertisement

How did experts grade the Jaguars' pick of Brian Thomas Jr. in the NFL draft?

Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
·1 min read

The Jacksonville Jaguars traded with the Minnesota Vikings on night one of the NFL Draft to select LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 23. General manager Trent Baalke recouped four picks for the trade.

He nabbed a 2024 first (No. 23) and fifth (No. 167) along with a 2025 third and fourth round pick.

Thomas Jr. is originally from Walker, La., and was a 2023 third-team AP All American, second-team All-SEC and Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist.

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. #11 of the LSU Tigers celebrates with wide receiver Malik Nabers #8 of the LSU Tigers after scoring a touchdown during the first half of their game against the LSU Tigers against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Who did the Jaguars draft? Tracking Jacksonville's selection in 2024 NFL Draft first round

He recorded career numbers of 127 catches, 1,897 yards and 24 touchdowns, scoring 17 of those touchdowns last season.

Thomas Jr. will slot into Jacksonville's offense from the jump after they lost Calvin Ridley in free agency. He joins Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, Evan Engram and Zay Jones to make up the pass catchers for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Here's how NFL draft experts are grading the pick.

Jacksonville Jaguars' NFL draft expert grades for Brian Thomas Jr. pick

USA TODAY: B-

The Athletic: A-

CBS Sports: B+

Fox Sports: A

OUTLOOK: The consensus with most experts seems to be reflecting favorably for the move. After the Jaguars lost Calvin Ridley in free agency, Thomas Jr. will be able to make an immediate impact for Jacksonville.

It was a relatively surprising move as two of the top corners were available at No. 17, but adding picks and a target for Trevor Lawrence was a good move.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Grades: How the Brian Thomas Jr. selection was viewed by experts