Sorry, Jacksonville Jaguars fans. It's not stopping anytime soon. It has to be absolutely gutting to continue to read endless trade rumors involving Brian Thomas Jr. and potentially be wearing a No. 7 jersey of the 2024 first-round pick, who shattered the team's rookie receiving record with 1,287 yards two years ago.
At that point, the question was whether Thomas Jr. was on a trajectory to be the best receiver in the league or not. Well, it wasn't quite the same in 2025.
Thomas Jr.'s production dipped under Liam Coen, and the team added two talented receivers, Travis Hunter and Jakobi Meyers. Parker Washington's breakout has the inn downright full.
But despite Thomas' sophomore slump, suitors don't appear to be turned off. He reportedly could net a first-round pick from teams inquiring about his services -- especially in a weak wide receiver class.
Are the Jaguars a better team if they trade Thomas for a first-rounder? Who would they target with it?
Why the Jaguars Might Trade Brian Thomas Jr.
If James Gladstone is doing his job at the moment, the reality is the team is exploring what could be had for any player, but Thomas Jr. is one of the most obvious trade candidates in the NFL.
Coinciding with a change in quarterback and scheme, BTJ's 16.6 percent target share was just 36th in the NFL last year. His 10 dropped passes were tied for the second-most in the NFL. The offense did not desperately need him to succeed. If this is who the wideout is in Coen's scheme next to Meyers and Washington, he'll never sniff the value of a first-round pick again.
Plus, there's likely a political element at play. Jacksonville traded two firsts and a second for Travis Hunter, and the depth in the receiver room -- currently -- has Hunter buried. Jacksonville has 11 picks in the upcoming draft, so if they deal Thomas and draft a couple of cornerbacks, Hunter will have more opportunities to be featured in the offense and justify the deal that Gladstone and Coen aggressively struck.
Elite NFL franchises are loyal to the name on the front -- not the back. It's important to remember that, while Thomas Jr. is a fun and exciting player, it could benefit the team as a whole to get a cost-controlled rookie at a position of need...like defensive tackle.
Grade the Pitch: Jaguars Trade Brian Thomas Jr. to the New York Jets for No. 16 Overall to Select Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald
The highest draft position of Brian Thomas Jr.'s suitors could be the New York Jets.
The L.A. Rams and Washington Commanders could be two other suitors a bit higher, but New York has four top-45 picks and might want a bit of a proven commodity -- especially if USC wide receiver Makai Lemon is off the board by this selection. Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson is a stud, but polarizing medicals make him an obvious risk.
In this case, the Jaguars might not mind this mid-range area of the draft, given their grave need at defensive tackle. Ohio State's Kayden McDonald is the best in the draft.
As I mentioned in Kayden McDonald's draft profile, the run-stuffer is an instant plug at a spot the Jaguars struggled at last year. After losing Devin Lloyd in free agency, it will be vital to upgrade the front seven in the draft after the Jaguars were just a middle-of-the-road rush defense a year ago. Coen's brilliance does little for the team if they can't get off the field.
For the Jets, this move would also make plenty of sense. They have a ton of cap space, and Thomas Jr. has three years of control left. They're continuing to build an infrastructure toward a 2027 quarterback class that will be theirs for the taking, holding three first-round selections currently.
I recently mused on social media that the Jaguars are a better football team with McDonald plus Hunter, Washington, and Meyers at wide receiver than keeping BTJ and getting gashed on the ground. This is also a deep cornerback class that could allow Hunter to be deployed as a full-time receiver. Could it all be a massive smokescreen? Remember, a year ago, the Jags were drafting Tetairoa McMillan at No. 5.
However, I'll keep this proposal — and any proposal — shy of an "A", though, because it does feel like selling Thomas Jr. at a low point.