JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars made a trade down and turned their attention to offense in the first round of the NFL draft, picking receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to give Trevor Lawrence a major weapon.
The Jaguars needed a draftable receiver to pair with its high-priced receiving corps. They got it in Thomas, a 6-3, 210-pounder who had a nation-best 17 touchdown catches in 2023. They didn’t need to move up to land him either.
Recommended Videos
Instead, general manager Trent Baalke traded down in the first round for the second consecutive draft, picked up three additional picks and landed a player who arrives in Jacksonville in the mix for catches at receiver.
The Jaguars traded back from No. 17 to No. 23 in a move with the Vikings after a historic run on offensive players — 14 straight to open the draft — gave Jacksonville and Baalke a chance to stockpile selections and still nab the player they wanted.
Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell went to the Eagles one pick before Jacksonville, becoming the first cornerback off the board.
Jacksonville didn’t make a blockbuster move up to pick one of the top three receivers, but the board provided a couple major surprises — six quarterbacks in the top 12 — and no defensive players selected until 15. That run on offensive players was a draft record, doubling the previous mark of seven straight. With how the board played out and an obvious need for help at receiver or defense, Jacksonville added three additional picks (No. 167) and third- and fourth-round picks in 2025.
In Thomas, the Jaguars land a bonafide big play receiver. He had 1,177 yards on 68 catches and was a major target for Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. He was the consensus fourth-best receiver in the class and gives Jacksonville a weapon for Lawrence to grow with. Receivers Gabe Davis, Zay Jones and Christian Kirk were all brought in on free agent deals and that’s not sustainable for a position group.
RELATED
WATCH: The News4JAGs one-hour draft special
Jaguars unveil 30th anniversary logo before draft
The News4JAX sports staff makes its picks for the Jaguars
Fans share their NFL draft party photos
Antonio Johnson looks back at his NFL draft experience
Team president Mark Lamping talks about draft, 30th year
The five worst draft classes in Jaguars history
The five best draft classes in Jaguars history
There’d been back and forth on what direction Jacksonville should go. During the News4JAX pre-draft special, fans voted receiver and offensive line as the first two choices. Many mock drafts had the Jaguars leaning cornerback with the first-round pick. Starting corner Tyson Campbell is entering the final year of his rookie contract and the team released Darious Williams in a salary cap move. Jacksonville signed Ronald Darby in free agency, but he’s likely not a long-term answer at the position.
Quarterbacks flew off the draft board quickly, with USC’s Caleb Williams (Bears), LSU Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels (Commanders) and North Carolina’s Drake Maye (Patriots) going with the first three selections, and five of the first 10.
There’d been back and forth on what direction Jacksonville should go. During the News4JAX pre-draft special, fans voted receiver and offensive line as the first two choices. Many mock drafts had the Jaguars leaning cornerback with the first-round pick. And that was for good reason. New defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen employs a heavier man defensive schedule so nickel and outside corner reinforcements are a must. But those will wait until at least Day 2 to be addressed.
Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was fourth (Cardinals) and the Chargers stayed put after plenty of pre-draft trade speculation and drafted offensive tackle Joe Alt. LSU receiver Malik Nabers, a potential Jaguars target, went sixth to the Giants. Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham went to the Titans at No. 7. Atlanta provided the first major surprise of the draft, picking Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The last of the draft’s big three receivers, Washington’s Rome Odunze, went ninth to the Bears. There was only one trade in the top 10, with the Vikings trading up with the Jets to draft Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy.
No trade up for receiver
While there was a buzz for Jacksonville to move up and draft one of the top three receivers — Nabers, Harrison or Odunze — that didn’t materialize. And maybe that was a good thing. They still landed a first-round wideout, pocketed extra selections and nabbed the fourth-best pass catcher in the draft. And he’ll have history to reverse to thrive in Jacksonville.
Receiver has been a difficult position to nail for the Jaguars in the first round. R. Jay Soward (29th in 2000) lasted one season in the league. Reggie Williams (ninth in 2004) was underwhelming. Matt Jones (21st in 2005) was a converted college quarterback who saw his NFL career bottom out due to substance abuse issues.
Justin Blackmon (fifth in 2012) was suspended four games into his second season and never played again. There were rumblings that the Jaguars could add a pass catcher in the form of Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, but he went 13th to the Raiders. Thomas, who comes to Jacksonville out of LSU, much like receiver DJ Chark, did, gives Lawrence a major weapon to package with Davis, Jones and Kirk.