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Instant social media reaction to the Jaguars' pick of LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas

Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
·3 min read

The Jacksonville Jaguars made their fans wait a bit longer again during the first round of Thursday's NFL Draft, trading down five spots from No. 17 to No. 23 before selecting LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas.

The reaction on social media to the trade-down wasn't overly kind -- perhaps because of some impatience on the pick coming around 11 p.m.

But it was an offensive player the Jaguars had targeted, another weapon for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and a gamble that paid off with two mid-round draft picks next season. Thomas' pick was well-received on social media, especially by Jaguars fans.

LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas makes a catch during the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.
LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas makes a catch during the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.

Thomas can be a deep threat, running a 4.33 40-yard dash and pulling down 68 receptions for 1,177 yards, 17 TDs and 17.3 yards per catch last season.

Here's the team post on X.

Brian Thomas hangs with Jaguars fans in Detroit.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jacksonville Jaguars (@jaguars)

There's a debate brewing on whether Thomas is a worthy replacement for the departed Calvin Ridley, who left during the offseason to sign with the Tennessee Titans. Ridley was a 1,000-yard receiver for the Jaguars but didn't make quite the impact everyone expected.

One fan pointed out that the Jaguars netting a fourth- and fifth-round pick for 2025 might not be the best move, citing last year when eight players the team drafted between the fourth and seventh rounds made no contribution because of injury or inability to get on the field.

Here's another take on that mid-round drafting issue. It's worth noting that of the 21 players Baalke has drafted from the third round through the seventh, only three made a significant contribution last season, safeties Antonio Johnson and Andre Cisco and center Luke Fortner.

Jaguars radio reporter Mike Dempsey pointed out that yes, the Jags could have had Thomas at No. 17. But he becomes a greater value at No. 23.

Here are some Brian Thomas highlights.

And some key stats on Brian Thomas, courtesy of ESPN.

Brian Thomas was a pretty good athlete and had basketball opportunities, notes J.P. Shadrick of Jaguars radio.

Many of the Jaguars fans at EverBank Stadium left when it was announced the team had traded down five spots. But those who stayed liked the Thomas pick.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: WR Brian Thomas is a Jaguar. Here's how social media reacted to the pick