Even though wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. struggled with inconsistency and drops in 2025, he showed the year prior just how much of a game-changer he could be. Rightly, the Jacksonville Jaguars have stated that they want to keep him around, but the trade chatter remains loud heading into the NFL Draft.
Back in March, general manager James Gladstone called any rumors involving Thomas fraudulent. However, one NFL exec told Mike Sando of The Athletic that he wouldn't be shocked if Jacksonville traded the 2024 first-round pick on Draft Day.
While the team's stance on Thomas hasn't changed, perhaps a team can make an offer too good for Gladstone to refuse. That's led an NFL analyst to come up with several proposals that could get a deal done.
The Jaguars trade Brian Thomas Jr. to the LA Rams in return for a draft haul
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report came up with five potential trade destinations for Brian Thomas Jr. He brougth the Los Angeles Rams, citing their affinity for making blockbuster trades in the past and their link to James Gladstone.
"Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead has been known to work with former proteges on blockbuster trades in the past," Daveport wrote. "Back in 2021, the first transaction that Detroit Lions GM (and former Rams Director of college scouting) Brad Holmes made was to send quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Rams for Jared Goff and a package that included two first-round picks."
Davenport continued, "That trade helped propel the Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI. Now, former Rams Director of scouting strategy James Gladstone is the general manager in Jacksonville."
Later, Davenport argues that Thomas would round out a Los Angeles wide receiver corps that already includes Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
"Yes, the Rams already have a formidable duo of wide receivers in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. But it has been a bumpy offseason for Nacua off the field, and Adams is 33 and missed three games last year," Davenport said.
For context, Nacua allegedly has had an eventful offseason, checking into a rehab facility after allegedly biting a woman. On the other hand, Adams is still a dependable starter, but the Rams may want to start looking for a younger replacement. That's where Thomas would come in.
Thomas would give Los Angeles insurance in case Adams loses a step or Nacua struggles during the regular season. At 23, he's already logged a 1,000-yard season in his career. Granted, he's coming off a disappointing year, but nothing is impeding him from bouncing back. Couple that with the fact that he's scheduled to have cap hits of $3.9 million and $4.6 million in 2026, and it's easy to see why he would be a coveted target for teams in need of wide receiver help.
And precisely because trading for Thomas comes with several perks, getting a deal done with Jacksonville wouldn't come cheap. Davenport suggests in his proposal that the Rams send the 13th overall pick in this year's draft, a 2026 third-round pick, and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
If Los Angeles were to offer that kind of haul, the Jaguars should at least give it a thought.
Grade the pitch: The Jaguars trade Brian Thomas Jr. to the LA Rams for 3 draft picks
Before James Gladstone became the general manager for the Jaguars, he spent nine seasons with the Rams, working his way up the ranks and learning under Les Snead. The two still have a good relationship, which could help facilitate a trade for Brian Thomas Jr.
Now, Jacksonville would love to keep Thomas, but getting the 13th overall pick, a third, and a fourth would be too good to pass up. Already, the Jags have 11 picks, and with the additional three that the Jags got in return for Thomas, Gladstone would have enough ammo to bolster virtually every position group.
Moreover, the Jaguars would still have Parker Washington, Travis Hunter, and Jakobi Meyers around, so the offense would probably not suffer a step drop-off if Thomas were shipped to the LA Rams.
When you add it all up, this trade proposal would give the Jaguars the assets to give the roster a substantial overhaul.
Grade: A