Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. gets top-notch endorsement from Buccaneers head coach

After a slow start to training camp, Brian Thomas Jr. has been making plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had an impressive 41-yard gain in the preseason opener and his amazing play has carried over into joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Todd Bowles has taken notice and spoke highly of the rookie receiver when he met with the local media.

"He's a great receiver. That's why he was a first-round pick," Bowles told the local media. "We know he's got a lot of speed, he's got a lot of talent. We're going to face him every week. Those type of guys, we just have to play the deep ball."

Thomas showed in 2023 how much of a deep threat he can be, hauling in 68 receptions for 1,177 yards with 17 touchdowns on the Tigers offense. His 40-yard dash in 4.33 at the NFL Scouting Combine later corroborated his high-end athleticism. But despite his production and his outstanding physical tools, he wasn't as highly regarded as former teammate Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr., or Rome Odunze.

Still, the Louisiana native was projected to go in the first round. Coincidentally, the Jags needed to fill the void at wide receiver left by the departure of Calvin Ridley in free agency, so they selected him with the 23rd overall pick.

Thomas shined throughout training camp but hit a speed bump when the coaching staff went through red-zone installs early in training camp. He's since fared much better and put his speed at full display in the preseason and against Tampa Bay in joint practices.

Speaking of the Buccaneers, Bowles wasn't alone in his praise of the rookie wideout. Cornerback Zyon McCollum also told Sara Walsh of NFL Media that "No. 7 is fast, No. 7 is a deep threat."

Brian Thomas Jr. is a playmaker in the making for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Even though Brian Thomas Jr. has yet to take a snap in the regular season, he's validating the decision to move on from Calvin Ridley and draft him 23rd overall. Head coach Doug Pederson is certainly pleased with his development, pointing out that he's taken several steps forward the past few days.

"He's been doing a really nice job," Pederson responded after Day 2 of joint practices with the Buccaneers when asked about Thomas' growth. "It showed up a couple plays in the game last week and this week in practice. [He] continues to grow, he and Trevor kept talking and working. That's what's going to take, not going to be a finished product right away but he continues to improve and learn with the offense. But he's been doing a really good job."

Pederson is right. Thomas has his work cut out if he wants to become the game-changer the Jaguars expected when they drafted him earlier this year. That said, he's slowly showing he can be that player. Head coach Todd Bowles would certainly agree.

More Jaguars analysis here: