Jaguars rookie sensation fires loud warning shot to Sauce Gardner and Jets secondary

Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been the talk of the NFL in 2024. Apart from being a bright spot for the Jacksonville Jaguars in an otherwise disappointing season, he's routinely made headlines because he's already playing like a vested pro. It's not an exaggeration to say that the Jags will need the former LSU Tiger to step up if they want to beat the New York Jets in Week 15. And heading into the game, he sent a warning shot to All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner.

Thomas met with the local media ahead of the game and touched on a variety of topics. Regarding the Jets' defense, he says they have talent at all three levels.

"They have two pretty good corners, pretty front 4, four good D-linemen," Thomas said. "The defensive side is really good. They're just great, good defense in general."

Later in the exchange, Thomas was asked how he prepares to go against Sauce Gardner, arguably the best corner in the NFL. He says that it's his opponents, not him who must be ready for him.

"I prepare the same, whether it's the No. 1 corner in the league or the last-rated corner in the league. They have to prepare for me. I try to keep that mindset and just prepare myself the same way I prepare myself each and every week. I prepare myself to go out there and be the best, and that's what I want," Thomas told the press corps.

When asked specifically about Gardner, Thomas had nothing but praise for the Jets cornerback.

"He's really long, plays hard, plays with great speed. He does a lot of great things, and him, his motor. That's what really stands out to me really, his motor."

Thomas, the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has quickly established himself as the Jaguars' top offensive weapon, giving them a verticality element they had missed for several years. The Louisiana native currently has 54 catches for 851 yards with six touchdowns and should have no trouble breaking the team record for catches and receiving yards by a rookie in a season.

On top of that, Thomas is on pace to become the first Jaguars rookie receiver to tally over 1,000 yards. If that wasn't enough, he's already been nominated for the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award five times. Simply put, he's been everything the Jaguars expected when they drafted him and then some. Here's his full media availability session.

The Jaguars should feel good about Brian Thomas Jr. facing Sauce Gardner

Brian Thomas Jr. usually keeps things to himself, but that is because he lets his play speak for him. That's why it wasn't particularly shocking to show confidence when pressed about having to face Sauce Gardner.

Make no mistake, Gardner is no pushover. He'll probably be the biggest challenge Thomas will have to face this season. The fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft, the Jets cornerback has made the Pro Bowl and earned First-Team All-Pro designations in each of the past two years. Moreover, he's given up just three touchdowns in his whole NFL career. That's how stingy he's been.

Then again, Thomas has come though even though Mac Jones and the rest of the Jaguars offense has been less than impressive. That should give Jacksonville a reason for optimism in a game in which the Jets are favored to win.

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