Lawrence: ‘Huge step’ in chemistry with Thomas

“That’s where [Jaguars coaches] believe he can take that next step,” Wolfe said, adding that Thomas has shown much better chemistry with Trevor Lawrence this offseason after the two seemed never to be on the same page in 2024 and 2025. A downfield role would be nothing new for Thomas, who last season averaged 14.3 air yards per target and led the Jaguars in air yards share when healthy. Thomas in 2026 could remain a high-variance weekly fantasy option whose stat line will rely on splash plays. That could make him frustrating for fantasy managers while Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers are more consistent but lack the big play upside of BTJ. Lawrence in 2025 ranked 19th out of 33 qualifying QBs in downfield accuracy, in line with Cam Ward.

Last year, WR Parker Washington took home the honor, and while Washington has been really good again this year, as has QB Trevor Lawrence, Thomas’ showing at mandatory minicamp puts him in the lead. Per Shipley, Thomas was creating separation as a route-runner and winning over the middle of the field against the Jaguars’ top available cornerbacks. There are only so many touches to go around, but Thomas could end up being a best ball bargain at his current WR31 ADP.

Per Shipley, Washington is now “in a full-time role on offense,” and believes the Jaguars are ready to let him “take his chance and run with it.” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said earlier this offseason that he wants to “unlock” Washington’s post-catch potential. Recently, he celebrated Washington’s ability to line up out wide, in the slot, run routes at all three levels and his improvements in reading coverages pre-snap. Last season, Coen employed three-wide receiver sets at the league’s third-highest rate (70.9 percent). If he does so again, the offense might be able to produce usable fantasy stat lines for Washington, WR Brian Thomas Jr. and WR Jakobi Meyers. If Coen shifts even 5-10 percent toward two-wide receiver sets, things could get slightly volatile. We should learn more in training camp. Stay tuned.

He said that he had a lot of “little things” cleaned up this offseason. Thomas’ phrasing suggests he underwent multiple clean-up procedures over the past few months. It sounds like he played through quite a lot of pain last year as he dealt with wrist, shoulder and ankle injuries while adjusting to head coach Liam Coen’s new offense in 2025. Thomas is already drawing positive reviews at organized team activities. If he can sustain good health throughout training camp, he has a chance to deliver a bounce-back season in 2026.

Thomas had a massive day in practice on Monday, according to Shipley. Jaguars corners couldn’t keep up with his speed and Thomas toasted them repeatedly. For the second week, the Jaguars’ biggest plays have flowed through Thomas, Shipley writes. The team is “chucking it deep a ton” in practice. If that carries into the season, Thomas, who’s being drafted as a WR3, will be the primary beneficiary.

Lawrence found his groove after the team’s Week 8 bye, totaling 20 passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns and seven interceptions. Coincidentally, Coen notes, their “average depth of target went up towards the second half of the season.” Coen wants to “keep pushing that envelope a little bit -– especially with [Lawrence] and BT.” Lawrence and Thomas have put a lot of work into trying to get their timing down this offseason, and Lawrence said, “it’s starting to pay off.” He feels like the two of them are “clicking more and more every day.” That’s great to hear. Thomas’ play dropped off significantly after an explosive rookie season, and trade rumors have swirled around him prior to the 2026 NFL Draft. If he can return to rookie season form, Thomas can smash his ADP this season.

Harvey is among the Jaguars beats who appear deeply skeptical of a recent report about the team trading BTJ for A.J. Brown in the coming weeks. Brown, long unhappy with his usage in the Eagles offense, remains a favorite to land with New England this summer. “Why would the Jags trade for a player who wants to always be targeted when their offense does not have a No. 1 WR by design?” Harvey said, referring to the mercurial Brown. “And they’re loading up to deploy more tight ends and Parker Washington is set for an extension and they just gave Jakobi Meyers one and they aren’t trading BTJ.” After going for nearly 1,300 yards and ten touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, Thomas fell off big time in 2025, finishing the season with 707 yards and two scores and operating as the third or fourth option in the Jags’ pass-catching pecking order. It would be a stunner if the Jaguars were to give up on Thomas, 23, after one down year.

Earlier today, NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said he was told that the Jaguars “may” be trying to trade up into the late-first round, and “the potential bait could include receiver Brian Thomas.” Thomas has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, but in mid-March, general manager James Gladstone indicated that the team was not interested in “disrupting the momentum” by trading away their young wide receiver. Stay tuned.

NFL reporters and commentators who have suggested the Jaguars will shift Hunter to play mostly cornerback in 2026 and beyond are “completely misrepresenting” comments made by general manager James Gladstone and other front office officials, Shipley said. A lack of “media literacy,” Shipley said, has led league observers to incorrectly believe Hunter’s time as a full-time wideout are over. “At zero point have the Jaguars ever once indicated he will not play both ways, just as he did last year,” Shipley said, adding that head coach Liam Coen has “embraced the disrespect” of reporters who intentionally misinterpret what Jacksonville’s front office says. “He will just play more cornerback.” Hunter in 2025 averaged four receptions and 42 yards per game before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 7. Hunter’s offseason and preseason usage could provide some clues as to how he will be deployed in 2026. Those discounting his role as an every-down receiver may be proven wrong if Shipley is right.

This isn’t an outright denial, but the messaging is in line with recent reports. The Jaguars reportedly “have an extremely high asking price” for Thomas and are unwilling to budge, which makes sense. Doing so would disrupt the offense, to some degree, and the incoming trade offer must be worth it for them to move a highly valued asset. The talented, young wide receiver underperformed last year, but he remains relatively cost-controlled on his rookie contract for the next two or three seasons, fifth-year option pending.