Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Jaguars fans and fans across the country.
Through the first four weeks of his third NFL season, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has played 47.3% of offensive snaps. That figure was at 80% during his rookie season and 78% last year.
According to PFF, Thomas only has 1 deep target (20+ air yards) this season. He had 30 deep targets as a rookie and 23 last year.
When he is targeted, he’s not producing as well. Thomas’ yards per target has dropped from 9.6 to 7.8 to 7.0 this season.
With Thomas, the Jaguars have a young player trending downward in snap share and target efficiency. And they don’t even deploy him on the stuff he’s best at (deep targets). Wouldn’t it make sense to trade him to a team that would actually use him as a full-time wideout?
The shine of Thomas’ first-round pedigree and first-year success will only last so long. The fact that he still has multiple cheap seasons on his rookie contract is as much a reason for another club to acquire him as it is for the Jaguars to keep him. And several playoff contenders already need receiver depth (Rams, Chiefs, Patriots, 49ers).
In a way, the Jaguars would be selling low on Thomas Jr., but his trade value might evaporate entirely if they continue to hold. They could recoup a Day 2 draft pick and give more opportunities to players drafted by the current regime, like Josh Cameron and CJ Williams, without really missing a beat.
I feel kind of slimy for posing this question. Of course, I hope Thomas has a great career, preferably in Jacksonville. And if you watched the team’s latest production of Sounds of the Game, you’d know that Jacksonville’s players and coaches still believe in BT.
The stats from the top of this article are pretty telling, though. Thomas is not being fully maximized in Jacksonville. At this point, if another team thinks they could get the best version of him, I don’t see why a change of scenery wouldn’t be a win-win for both sides.
What do you think?
