In dismissing offseason trade rumors that percolated around Brian Thomas Jr. as "fraudulent claims," Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone last March called the wide receiver "a big piece to that (offensive) puzzle."
Seven months later, the pass catcher is barely in the picture for the reigning AFC South champions.
After Thomas confounded many by following up a sterling rookie season with a sophomore campaign rife with disappointment and drops, his third pro season has only widened the chasm between his capabilities and his results. Through six games, he had just nine receptions, with none in his last two contests. He has been targeted fewer than four times in all but one of his appearances so far this season.
Things might have come to a head when Thomas was benched for the entire second half of last week's 34-31 loss to the Houston Texans. Rather than lend his support to a player struggling to find his role, Jaguars coach Liam Coen delivered a pointed message when asked whether it would be difficult to show confidence in the benched former standout, saying, "Guys have to step up and make plays."
But is Jacksonville even interested in giving Thomas an opportunity to do so at this point?
Having only played in 43% of his team's offensive snaps so far this season, the former first-round pick doesn't seem to have any path toward reclaiming a sizable role. Coen's team has made clear that it wants to live in multiple-tight-end sets, and Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers are poised to get the overwhelming majority of targets for receivers. Jacksonville is also intent on creating more offensive opportunities for Travis Hunter, and sixth-round rookie Josh Cameron has shown significant promise in short bursts.
That could render Thomas extraneous to a team that two years ago might have seen him as nothing short of essential to the organization's future. Other offenses around the league, however, might be far more motivated than the Jaguars to incorporate a player who just two years ago finished third in the NFL in receiving yards at 21 years old.
Orchestrating a deal centered on Thomas might be difficult for all parties involved. Even with the receiver's dwindling role, Jacksonville still might be reticent to sell low on an asset in which the franchise – albeit while under the previous regime – once made a premium investment. And any front office interested in acquiring him might have a difficult time making sense of his diminishing production and how much draft capital they're willing to give up in order to take on a reclamation project.
But with the NFL trade deadline just two-plus weeks away, Thomas remains one of the most intriguing figures who could be moved before the cutoff.
Here is our ranking of the best – and most likely – potential landing spots for Thomas:
Prime fits
1. Washington Commanders
If Thomas is to rediscover his previous form, a familiar face might be paramount in helping him get back on track. In reteaming with the No. 2 target from his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign at LSU in 2023, Jayden Daniels would be tasked with rekindling his connection with the explosive pass catcher than establishing an entirely new one.
With Terry McLaurin being lost for the season to a torn patellar tendon, there's plenty of incentive for Washington to roll the dice as job security questions intensify. An already suspect receiving corps doesn't have much in the way of long-term assurances as McLaurin comes off a major injury at 31 and Stefon Diggs plays out a one-year deal, so Thomas might actually amount to more than a flier for the Commanders. General manager Adam Peters has seldom been afraid to be bold about marquee acquisitions, and this might be the kind of upside play that would pique the interest of an organization that can't shake its own self-perception as a potential contender.
2. Las Vegas Raiders
Thomas' ongoing trouble with contact might make this a somewhat tenuous pairing on one level. But on several other fronts, it's a partnership that could prove significantly fruitful for both parties.
With the initial thrill of a hot start wearing off, it's high time for Las Vegas to return its focus to the future. That doesn't necessarily mean an immediate promotion to the first string for Fernando Mendoza, but several steps do need to be taken to help ease the ask of the No. 1 pick whenever he does take over. Adding Thomas might significantly up the potency of a receiving corps that's still overwhelmingly reliant on Brock Bowers.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Davante Adams' ruptured hamstring figures to be a devastating blow to Los Angeles' hopes of shaking off a 2-4 start. To rescue a roster built to capitalize on Matthew Stafford's remaining years, general manager Les Snead might feel compelled to take drastic action again. Thomas certainly might be the most explosive of the possible quick fixes, as he could capitalize on Stafford's aggression in a featured role. If he flourishes, he could also provide the Rams with some flexibility ahead of an offseason in which both Adams and Puka Nacua are set to become free agents. But the cost of acquiring Thomas could be particularly exorbitant for a front office that's without its first- and third-round picks in 2027 and its second-round selection in 2028.
Maybe a chance
4. Seattle Seahawks
Having acquired a notable veteran midseason in each of the last three years, Seahawks general manager John Schneider has made it known he's open for business around the deadline. With his offense having hit a rough patch as Sam Darnold flounders and the injury-hampered run game flat lines, a fourth swing can't be ruled out. Thomas' skill set would certainly align with a Seattle operation intent on generating explosive plays. But Schneider already paid handsomely for that facet in the aerial attack with the re-signing of Rashid Shaheed, last fall's trade acquisition who still hasn't fully recaptured his previous form as a pass catcher. Getting all the parts to fit together might be a steep challenge for Mike Macdonald and first-year offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, but this might be the kind of bold move for the defending champions to embrace amid Darnold's persistent troubles.
Not likely, but not impossible
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Tyquan Thornton's ankle injury leaves a distinct hole in the Chiefs' offense that only another big-play weapon can fill. Yet for some time, Kansas City hasn't operated with the same urgency in reshaping a receiving corps that does Patrick Mahomes few favors, and the current setup might not give it sufficient reason to change gears. Thomas could make for an intriguing transitional option for a group facing plenty of uncertainty in the near future, with questions lingering on how much longer Travis Kelce will continue playing and whether impending free agent Rashee Rice will return. To bolster the league's top-ranked offense, however, Kansas City might opt for a lower-key move – if it pursues one at all.
6. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco's need for help at receiver might seem overwhelming in light of Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. being ruled out this week. Indeed, a team that already has three receivers on injured reserve will be relying on end-of-roster options to carry it through a short-term crunch. But Kyle Shanahan has long excelled at scraping by with a suboptimal outlook in his receiving corps, and the 49ers again are counting on him to do just that. "Post-bye, we're gonna be getting some guys back," general manager John Lynch said last week on KNBR. "We're gonna get some things that feel like acquisitions with guys just getting healthy." Even if San Francisco were to search for external help, Thomas' field-stretching threat wouldn't hold as much value in this offense as it does elsewhere.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jump-starting a deep passing attack that has tied for the league low with six completions of 20-plus yards downfield, per Next Gen Stats, might give Pittsburgh a sizable bump. But importing a receiver – even one with Thomas' ability – won't ignite the vertical game on its own. Pittsburgh's attack is a reflection of Aaron Rodgers' predilections at this point in his career, and the famously demanding quarterback might have a difficult time coming to trust a target who still hasn't mastered the finer points of his position. Even with Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson on injured reserve, the Steelers might have enough in DK Metcalf and surging rookie Germie Bernard to forge ahead at receiver. If they do search for assistance, there are probably more suitable potential solutions elsewhere.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brian Thomas Jr. appears exiled in Jacksonville. Ranking WR's trade fits