Here we go again.
For a second straight season, trade rumors are swirling around Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas has struggled to contribute this season, catching just nine passes on 20 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Speculation surrounding his potential movement intensified after the team's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. Thomas played a career-low 15 snaps and was benched for the entire second half after dropping two passes in the first half.
Last year, Thomas's rookie hype simmered after he caught just 48 of 91 targets for 707 yards and two touchdowns. Drops were an issue in 2025, too. Pro Football Reference listed Thomas with
10 drops last season, tied for the second-most among receivers last season.
Thomas caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod and becoming Jacksonville's top pass-catcher.
Despite his struggles, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone have repeatedly shut down trade rumors about Thomas over the last calendar year. Gladstone, specifically, called the rumors "fraudulent," adding that the team had "no interest in disrupting the momentum."
The Ringer and Netflix's Tom Pelissero reported on Oct. 10 that the Jaguars still haven't shown interest in trading the former first-round pick.
But through six games, the light hasn't seemed to come on for Thomas in Coen's offense.
If he's moved, what could that look like? We checked it out.
What is Brian Thomas Jr.'s trade value?
Thomas' trade value is difficult to guess. The most recent example of a 2024 receiver being traded is Marvin Harrison Jr., who the Houston Texans acquired last week.
The Texans sent the Cardinals a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick for a 2027 sixth-round pick and Harrison.
Harrison's draft stock was far higher than Thomas' ahead of the draft, though. The former Buckeye was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the fourth overall pick that year, while Jacksonville selected Thomas with pick No. 23.
Thomas' market likely falls in late Day 2 or early Day 3, depending on timing and the team.
Brian Thomas Jr. trade could be a player swap
Jacksonville won't send Thomas off for nothing. If they deal him, Jacksonville will likely acquire a player who can contribute right away. It's even more likely they'll acquire a player(s) on the defensive side of the ball.
Here are some potential landing spots.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams just lost Davante Adams for up to 10 weeks and desperately need a field stretcher. Thomas would fit right in, giving Matthew Stafford more than just Puka Nacua to throw to.
Proposed trade: Jaguars receive Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and a 2027 second-round pick for Thomas.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are in a similar boat as the Rams, but acquiring Thomas would be a move for their future. Quarterback Justin Herbert has been put in terrible positions all year, and his receivers can't stay healthy. Thomas has been healthy for most of his career and would give Herbert a field stretcher.
The Chargers ought to be in rebuild mode after this season. They started the year 0-6.
Proposed trade: Jaguars receive Chargers CB Cam Hart and a 2027 third-round pick for Thomas.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are in a rebuild year and are excited about rookie receiver Caleb Douglas' return, underscoring the team's current desperation at the position. Thomas could give quarterback Malik Willis a deep-threat target without the cost of Jaylen Waddle.
Proposed trade: Jaguars receive defensive tackle Zach Sieler and a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick for Thomas.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are in a similar boat to the Chargers and Dolphins, with aging or less-than-stellar receiving talent. Reuniting Jayden Daniels with Thomas could prove to be a coup for Washington. Daniels understands Thomas better than any quarterback except for Trevor Lawrence, and the move would boost both players' confidence.
On Monday night, the Commanders lost receiver Terry McLaurin due to a knee injury. He was carted off the field in an aircast with an early prognosis and subsequently ruled out for the rest of the contest against the San Francisco 49ers.
Proposed trade: Jaguars receive DT Daron Payne and a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick for Thomas.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on BlueskyatDemetrius.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Could Jaguars trade Brian Thomas Jr.? 4 teams that make sense
