Jaguars select LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. in the NFL draft, giving QB Trevor Lawrence a big target
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville traded down six spots and drafted LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, continuing to build around franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Adding the 6-foot-3, 209-pound Thomas should help offset the loss of Calvin Ridley to division rival Tennessee in free agency and give the Jaguars a chance to have a legitimate No. 1 receiver for the first time since Jimmy Smith retired following the 2005 season.
Thomas led the Bowl Subdivision with 17 receiving touchdowns last season. He finished with 68 catches for 1,177 yards, averaging a whopping 17.3 yards a reception.
He joins a position group that includes Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Zay Jones. No one would be surprised to see him become Lawrence’s go-to guy at some point, maybe in 2024.
Jacksonville signed Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract that included $24 million guaranteed. Kirk is scheduled to count $24.2 million against the salary cap. Kirk and Jones both missed games last year.