Analyst argues WR Brian Thomas Jr. will be pivotal to Jaguars' success in 2024

First-round draft picks are expected to contribute right out of the gate. Brian Thomas Jr., who went to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 23, is no different. In fact, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports believes that out of all receivers drafted in 2024, Thomas will need to have the biggest impact.

Edwards drew up a ranking of the most important rookies to their team's success and placed Thomas at No. 2, arguing that he'll need to have an immediate impact if the Jags want to bounce back. Here's what he had to say.

"Wide receiver was considered a need before Calvin Ridley spurned the franchise for a division rival. Gabe Davis was signed in free agency to relieve some of the urgency to address that position in the draft. Thomas is more dynamic than any other outlet on Jacksonville's roster. If they are to bounce back from last year's frustrating conclusion, then they will need Thomas to accelerate his development. "

Caleb Williams, the top overall pick in the draft, popped up at No. 1 on Edward's list. Fellow quarterback Jayden Daniels also made the cut at No. 5. One thing that stands out is that five offensive linemen and two defensive tackles got the nod, making Thomas the only receiver who earned an appearance.

Thomas Jr. was the fourth receiver taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Even though he wasn't as highly touted as Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers, he still got a first-round grade.

Marvin Harrison Jr. was the consensus top receiver of the 2024 class. However, the gap between him and Rome Odunze and Nabers wasn't that wide. In fact, a handful of teams reportedly placed Nabers ahead of Harrison on their big boards.

Having lost Calvin Ridley in free agency, wide receiver became a need for the Jaguars. During the draft process, they showed interest in Nabers and Odunze. Both were expected to go in the top 10, so if they had any hopes of landing either one, they were going to need to trade up.

The draft came but instead of moving up, they traded the No. 17 pick to the Minnesota Vikings. In exchange, they got the 23rd overall selection, along with an assortment of extra selections, and took Thomas.

Brian Thomas Jr. is in a position to have an immediate impact for the Jaguars

Of the top four receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brian Thomas Jr. and Marvin Harrison Jr. are in the best position to succeed right away. Leaving talent aside, they've joined clubs with an established quarterback. Trevor Lawrence in Thomas' case and Kyler Murray in Harrison's.

You could even add two more receives drafted in the first round, Xavier Worthy (28th overall) and Ricky Pearsall (31st overall). They'll be catching passes from Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy respectively. Meanwhile, Rome Odunze will be playing with Caleb Williams, who's an intriguing quarterback talent but has yet to throw a pass in the NFL. On the other hand, Malik Nabers will suit up for the New York Giants.

Given how much of a playmaker he is, Nabers can succeed in spite of Daniel Jones, not because of him. Then again, he would have a better chance to succeed if his team had a better quarterback situation.

Going back to Thomas, he's got the tools to develop into a deep threat for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He's got the size and speed to become their WR1. That said, he'll need to clean up his route-running and his release at the line of scrimmage for that to happen. Working in his favor is that those are things that can be fixed with teaching. That's where wide receivers coach Chad Hall will need to work his magic.

Now, Thomas doesn't have to be an All-Pro or even cross the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie but he will most definitely need to make plays for the Jaguars and help them win games. If he does, his first NFL season will have been a success.

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