Brian Thomas Jr. wastes no time asserting himself as a Jaguars game-changer

The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the expectation that he was going to become a key contributor on offense. The former LSU Tiger is wasting no time proving he's that player, making a huge play in the Week 1 game against the Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins were supposed to have the better offense but the Jaguars have been the better team at least in the first half of the season opener. Among the players who've made an impact for Jacksonville is Thomas, who capped off an eight-play, 55-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown reception to make it 14-0.

The Dolphins later scored late in the second quarter to make it 14-7, but so far, Tyreek Hill has been a non-factor, catching four receptions for 32 yards. On a related note, he was pulled over just before the game but he ended up suiting up.

Going back to Thomas, that was his first-ever NFL touchdown and hopefully one of many to come. Earlier in the same drive, fellow wide receiver Christian Kirk reeled in a crucial 30-yard drive.

In the first quarter, Thomas also drew a massive pass interference flag that put the Jaguars within one year of the Dolphins' red zone. The Jags handed the ball to running back Travis Etienne who scored a touchdown to give his team a 7-0 lead.

Following the Jaguars' second touchdown drive of the game, Trevor Lawrence was 6-of-9 for 82 yards with one touchdown and no interception. His stat line looks even better when you take into account that Jacksonville has had trouble moving the football against a stout Miami defense.

Just before halftime, the Jags had one last drive that ended on a 53-yard field goal by rookie kicker Cam Little to make it 17-7.

It's also worth noting that the Jaguars' defense has done a good job of slowing down the Miami offense. Other than roughing the passer and offsides penalties by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, respectively, the unit has done a good job of containing Tua Tagovailoa and a wide receiver corps that includes Hill, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and tight end Jonnu Smith.

Brian Thomas had already shown he'll be a playmaker for the Jaguars

Brian Thomas Jr.'s early impact as a rookie shouldn't come as as surprise. Throughout the offseason, he routinely showed signs he was the player the Jacksonville Jaguars envisioned when they drafted him 23rd overall.

Then, the preseason came, and Thomas proved his deep-threat capabilities, hauling in catches of 41 and 38 yards in Weeks 1 and 3, respectively. He also had another one against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in which he put on full display his ability to run crisp routes. Here's the one for the 41-yard gain.

It's still a bit early to tell how Brian Thomas Jr.'s rookie campaign is going to turn out but he's at least off to a strong start. If he keeps making plays like he did against Miami, the Jaguars' offense is going to be in great shape.

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