Just about the only positive takeaway from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ season has been the emergence of rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars drafted Thomas with the 23rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thomas recorded 132 yards and one touchdown on nine receptions. In doing so, he joined Raiders tight end Brock Bowers as the first rookie in the 2024 class to hit 1,000 receiving yards. He’s the first rookie in Jaguars history to accomplish such a feat.
Jordan Schultz Recalls His Correct Assessment of Brian Thomas Jr.
On Monday, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz took to Twitter, boasting the elite company Thomas finds himself in. The rookie joins the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Terry McLaurin as the only receivers this season with 1,000 receiving yards and at least nine touchdowns.
Through 15 games, Thomas has been targeted 112 times for 73 catches, 1,088 yards, and nine scores.
#Jaguars record-setting rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr. is one of five players in the NFL this season with 1,000 receiving yards and 9+ receiving TDs — joining some elite company:
• Ja'Marr Chase
• Justin Jefferson
• Amon-Ra St. Brown
• Terry McLaurin https://t.co/U8IJYlJ7dP pic.twitter.com/cg6lh9uPlL— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 23, 2024
Schultz used a post from July as a launching pad for his victory lap, citing an appearance on “The Herd,” discussing Trevor Lawrence’s Jaguars. The quarterback was just signed to a five-year, $275 million contract, and during his applause for the signal-caller, he gave significant praise to his incoming first-round receiver.
“I’ll tell you why I really love him, though,” Schultz said. “His talent is to throw the ball down the field. And what did Jacksonville just draft? Brian Thomas Jr., who was a monstrous vertical threat overshadowed by Malik Nabers at LSU. 17 touchdowns. 6’4”, 210 pounds.
“He can flat-out run; he ran a 4.34 40. I’m telling you, he’s a superstar in the making. Lawrence, they’re going to miss [Calvin] Ridley, but between him, [Christian] Kirk, [Evan] Engram, [Travis] Etienne, and Gabe Davis, Lawrence is going to eat this year.”
Thomas’ Insane 62-Yard Touchdown Wasted in Loss
With under a minute remaining in the third quarter, Jacksonville quarterback Mac Jones targeted Thomas on 3rd-and-8 from the Jaguars’ 38-yard line. Running along the left boundary, Thomas sped past Raiders safety Tre’von Moehrig and cornerback Jack Jones for a walk-in 62-yard score.
The touchdown put Jacksonville up 14-13 and propelled Thomas over 1,000 receiving yards on the season.
BRIAN THOMAS JR.!
📺: #JAXvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Plt8MEmW32— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
However, the Jaguars let their second-half lead slip away.
Ameer Abdullah’s seven-yard rushing touchdown put the Raiders on top 19-14, a lead they held until the end of regulation. The loss sent Jacksonville to 3-12 and kept it in prime position to add another high-level playmaker alongside Thomas.