Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.'s career path could mirror that of Ex- Cowboys speedster

The preseason is underway and the Jacksonville Jaguars' first preseason game is this weekend. Heck, it might've already taken place by the time you're reading this. Across the league, fans and media are scrutinizing rosters and practice reports in order to come up with an opinion of what the forthcoming season will hold for their respective teams.

Additionally, fantasy prognosticators sift through the rosters of every team looking for diamonds in the rough. Those same fantasy fans are already aware of the common consensus that Brian Thomas Jr. will likely be merely a contributor and not a superstar for a while in Jacksonville.

Certainly, everyone in Duval hopes No. 7 will eventually develop into a true WR1. No one wants to place artificial limits on his upside. But, fans aren't blind either, and it's hard not to notice his college teammate turning heads in New York.

That is what a "number one" wide receiver looks like. The fact that Thomas wasn't the best wide receiver on his own team in college was not lost on most observers during the draft. Still, his upside was generally held in high esteem.

Another factor working against Thomas' likelihood of becoming an instant sensation is the fact that he is joining an offense fairly stacked with established talent. He will have to get in line for touches behind the likes of Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, and Travis Etienne.

But, maybe that's ok.

By most accounts, Thomas will need time to develop all of the skills necessary to become a fully-fledged NFL threat. No one disputes Thomas' speed and ability to stretch the field, and that particular set of skills happens to be the ones most coveted by the current iteration of the Jaguars.

Brian Thomas Jr. may follow in Alvin Harper's footsteps

Once upon a time, many years ago, another offense loaded with skill players drafted a field-stretching wide receiver, and that worked out pretty well. The year was 1991, and something was a-brewing in Dallas, Texas. A kooky owner, a college coach, and a cast of stars were coming together to form the nucleus of what would become a dynasty.

There were too many stars to name that came and went from those early 90's Dallas Cowboys teams. But, among the major contributors in place by the time the 1991 draft rolled around were Troy Aikman, Emmett Smith, Michael Irvin, and Jay Novacek.

Yeah, it's fair to say, with those four Hall-of-Fame players, the Cowboys were already set up for success. But, apparently, they felt one of the missing pieces that could put them over the edge would be a speedster to stretch the field across from Michael Irvin.

Irvin was a tremendous possession receiver. So much so, in fact, that he would serve as Dallas' "No. 1" for many years. But, he never had the blazing speed fans associate with the top wideout on most teams.

Enter Alvin Harper. Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson thought the Tennessee Vol, who was also a track star in college, was the perfect compliment to Irvin's tough possession-style approach to the position. They were right.

Although Harper only contributed 20 catches in his rookie year, team-wide experience and chemistry began to take hold, and the young Cowboys improved from 7-9 — prior to Harper's arrival — to 11-5 in his rookie year.

Now, that's not to suggest Harper affected a four-win improvement with his 20 catches. A lot of that improvement had to do with the maturation of the rest of the team. But, certainly, adding a speed merchant on the outside to compliment the bevy of weapons at Troy Aikman's disposal helped.

The Cowboys would go on to win back-to-back Super Bowls in 1993 and 1994. Perhaps not coincidentally, those were also Harper's best seasons as a pro. In 1993, he was only third on the team in targets, still having to defer to bigger names like Smith and Irvin for touches. Yet, when Harper did get his opportunities, he made the most of them. Just check out his highlights on YouTube.

Alvin Harper was electric with the ball in his hands. By 1994, he was up to second on the team in targets but still lagging behind Smith and Irvin in touches. However, his contribution during those two championship years is undeniable.

He was so well thought of that he was eventually signed away in free agency by the Tampa Bay Bucs, where he would never be able to recapture the magic, which perhaps demonstrates his true value as a deep threat compliment to an offense, rather than the primary focus.

Is Brian Thomas, Jr. entering the same situation as Alvin Harper?

Granted, no one is ready to put Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram in the Hall of Fame just yet. But, from a roster construction perspective, there are some similarities. A quarterback is in place along with a versatile running back, a shifty possession receiver, and a reliable tight end.

Kirk and Engram will almost certainly continue to lead the team in targets, and it's safe to bet on Etienne getting his touches, too. But, Thomas' tantalizing ability may be that extra ingredient that puts this group over the top.

And if Thomas eventually develops into a true No. 1 along the way, so much the better. If his presence in the interim can help the offense lift itself to new heights, no one is going to worry about it taking some time.

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