Jarvis Landry has highest praise for Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Having made five Pro Bowls during his NFL career, Jarvis Landry knows a thing or two about playing wide receiver at the highest level. The veteran wideout is currently trying out for the Jacksonville Jaguars and one thing that stood out to him was how impressive rookie Brian Thomas Jr. is.

It only took Landry one day to give Thomas the best possible compliment, "Elite," Landry said when he met with the local media at rookie minicamp. "Watching him out here, seeing it firsthand in person. I've seen it on TV a couple times. We're seeing it firsthand, he's elite."

Landry goes on to say that he's willing to mentor his rookie counterpart if he reaches out to him.

"Absolutely, whether I'm here or not here, whatever it is, he has my number. He has my number, I'm like they were all guys I ran into him yesterday. We had great conversation, it's really it's part of the culture. It's how you keep the culture clean and good. And that's what I'm gonna do," Landry said.

During his exchange with the media, Landry also touched on why he chose to work out for the Jags. He notes that he had other opportunities but feels like Jacksonville is a team on the rise.

"It's a good opportunity. I'm about a 40-minute flight from here, so it's a good opportunity. And not only that. You notice a great football team was on the cusp of doing some really great things in its division and in the league. So I thought it'd be a good opportunity."

Landry then said that the fact that the Jaguars added three players who attended LSU, his alma mater, didn't have anything to do with his decision to sign with them.

A second-round pick in 2014, Landry is attending Jaguars minicamp on a tryout basis. This means that he won't get a contract unless the team's brass feel he can contribute. Head coach Doug Pederson, for his part, said that he wants to see what kind of physical and mental shape the former LSU Tiger is currently in.

Landry spent 2023 recovering from an ankle injury he suffered toward the end of 2022 as a member of the New Orleans Saints. Before that, he played for the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins. In total, he's hauled in 713 receptions for 7,870 yards with 38 touchdowns during his nine-year NFL career. Here's Landry's full exchange with the media, via 1010 XL.

Jarvis Landry can be more than a mentor for Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Brian Thomas Jr., the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has the traits to develop into a bonafide No.1. While his route-running needs some work and he needs to do a better job of not letting cornerbacks jam him at the line of scrimmage, his speed will give the Jaguars a legitimate deep threat. Having a veteran of Landry's caliber in his ear would be of huge help in his development.

After all, Landry has been there before, so he knows what kind of things could hinder or benefit Thomas' development. Add the fact that they both played college ball at LSU, and there's a reason to think that Landry would be a huge addition to the locker room. That said, he can be more than that.

The Jaguars have a promising trio of starting receivers in Thomas, Gabe Davis, and Christian Kirk. However, there'll probably be a steep dropoff in production if any of them miss time in 2024. Return specialist Devin Duvernay could get a few targets, but the coaching staff may want to avoid overworking him. Also in the mix are Parker Washington and Tim Jones. Neither stood out when they saw playing time last year. That's where inking Landry would come in handy.

Landry is no longer in his prime but could still step up if needed. At this stage of his career, the Jaguars wouldn't need him to play at a Pro Bowl level, only to make plays if his number is called.

The bottom line is that Jarvis Landry could be a great mentor for Brian Thomas Jr. but that shouldn't be the sole reason the Jacksonville Jaguars bring him aboard in 2024.

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