Even before Terry McLaurin’s season-ending injury, the Washington Commanders could’ve used more wide receiver depth. Now that McLaurin is out for the year, the Commanders are likely in the market for a receiver, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have too many.
The top receiver on the trade market for Jacksonville is Brian Thomas Jr, their first round draft pick from 2024. After a breakout rookie season in which he was an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist and a Pro Bowl selection, his production has dropped off significantly. His catch percentage was under 50 percent in 2025, and he has only nine receptions through the first six games this year.
Given Jacksonville’s receiver situation and Washington’s need for a receiver, Bleacher Report predicted
the Jaguars would trade Brian Thomas Jr. to the Commanders. Here is what they had to say about a potential trade:
“Back in 2024, the Jacksonville Jaguars spent the 23rd overall pick on receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Hopes were clearly high, and he only raised the bar with an 87-catch, 1,282-receiving yard, 10-touchdown debut.
Unfortunately, little has gone according to plan since. His sophomore sason was a dud (48 receptions for 707 yards and two touchdowns), and this third NFL go-round has been ever quieter (nine catches for 105 yards and a single score). According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Jaguars could be softening their stance about a Thomas trade …
Thomas, who turned 24 earlier this month, could still interest suitors as a reclamation project, but they might also want a pretty steep discount given his lack of production. But if the Jaguars don’t see him being a bigger piece of their offense, they could be better off taking what they can get for him now before his value gets hit even harder.
Prediction: Thomas is traded to the Washington Commanders.”
This would be a smart move for both franchises. Jacksonville has other wide receivers making a bigger impact, including Parker Washington and Travis Hunter. For Washington, McLaurin and Stefon Diggs are both over 30 and could use a younger receiver like Thomas Jr. to build for the future alongside rookie Antonio Williams.
A big reason why Washington is often linked to Thomas is quarterback Jayden Daniels. Thomas and Daniels were teammates at LSU for two seasons and are close friends. During Daniels’ 2023 Heisman-winning campaign, Thomas led all of FBS with 17 touchdown receptions.
At 1-4-1, the Commanders shouldn't be trading away future assets, but a Thomas acquisition would be different.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders predicted to trade for former first-round wide receiver
