Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars have made it clear that Brian Thomas Jr. isn't going anywhere, the trade buzz has only increased ahead of the draft. This is somewhat understandable when you take into account that he is coming off an underwhelming season. Couple that with the fact that the Jags are stacked at receiver, and it's easy to see why other teams could be under the impression that the 2024 first-round pick may be available.
On the other hand, it also makes plenty of sense for Jacksonville to hold onto Thomas. After all, he has shown that he can take over games. Moreover, he's got manageable cap hits each of the next two seasons. Nevertheless, an NFL exec told Mike Sando of The Athletic that he wouldn't be shocked if the third-year wideout is traded. That's led another analyst to weigh in on the matter.
B/R thinks the Jaguars could actually trade Brian Thomas Jr.
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report drew up a list of star players who could be traded and included Brian Thomas Jr., noting that a team in need of help at receiver could offer a first-round pick for him.
"A Thomas trade is unlikely, in part because [Travis] Hunter appears headed to a full-time role on defense in 2026," Davenport wrote. "But the Jaguars don't have a first-round pick in 2026 as a result of last year's deal to move up for the Colorado product. If a wideout-needy team is willing to gamble Thomas can recapture his 2024 form and pony up that first-round pick (plus), the Jaguars would be well-served to at least listen."
For context, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media confirmed not long ago that Travis Hunter will play cornerback full-time and part-time receiver, something Jaguars general manager James Gladstone stated after the 2025 season.
Later in his article, Davenport identifies the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns as potential trade partners. They hold selections No. 16 and No. 24, respectively. On a previous list, B/R argued that Thomas could net the Jags a first-round and maybe a bit more.
But why would teams want to trade for Thomas even though he struggled with drops and consistency in 2025? The answer is easy: As a rookie, the Walker, Louisiana native took the league by storm, hauling in 82 receptions for 1,282 yards with 10 touchdowns.
Why the Jaguars won't want to trade Brian Thomas Jr. (but could for the right price)
Ideally, teams want to hold onto good players, and Brian Thomas Jr. has already proved that he can be a game-changer. While he dealt with a sophomore slump, nothing is stopping him from bouncing back and reclaiming his place as one of the league's most lethal deep threats. Furthermore, the former LSU Tiger is poised to have a bigger role on offense with Travis Hunter only playing receiver part-time. When you add it all up, it's easy to see why the Jaguars want to hold onto him.
But if Browns or New York (or any other team) offers a first-round selection, the Jags should at least consider it, as it would allow them to take care of position groups in need of upgrades. The interior defensive line and the pass rush come to mind.
The truth is that the Jaguars are making the right call to keep Brian Thomas Jr. around. But with the draft quickly approaching, they may be willing to soften their stance.