Daniel

Thomas

Thomas is out with an Achilles injury, leaving the Jaguars shorthanded in the secondary against a potent Miami passing attack. Pro Football Focus graded Jacksonville’s defense as last year’s eighth best coverage unit.

Thomas is a former fifth-round pick who has spent the last four seasons with the Jaguars, playing primarily on special teams. He’s started just two of 56 games for his career and has totaled 61 career tackles.

Thomas has played the Jags’ fourth most snaps at safety this season. He is one of three defensive contributors to land on I.R. Tuesday. Thomas was the No. 157 overall pick of the draft. The Jags are getting their tank on hard down the stretch.

CB D.J. Hayden (hamstring) and S Daniel Thomas (arm) have also been sent to I.R. Allen had claimed his knee injury would not be “long term,” but he will now miss at least the next three games. It is awful news for the Jaguars’ league-worst pass rush. Amazingly, the Jags have only nine total sacks. 2019 first-rounder Allen has tallied two of them, and is playing well. 1-15 is in play for Jacksonville.

Via draft maven Dane Brugler from The Athletic, “A two-year starter at Auburn, Thomas (5'10/215) was the boundary safety in defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s man-heavy scheme. While Derrick Brown was the crown jewel of Auburn’s 2016 recruiting class, Thomas was the lowest-ranked signee, but he quickly changed the narrative as a freshman, picking off Jalen Hurts twice in his first Iron Bowl appearance. Thomas has NFL speed and loves to hunt, but he must consistently trust his vision to unlock his explosive qualities and make plays on the ball (only six passes defended in 26 starts the last two years). Although he competes with energy and violence as a run defender, he finds himself spending too much time hung up on blockers and needs to improve his discipline as a finisher. Overall, Thomas is not the type of player you want to trust as the last line of defense, but he competes with range, confidence and toughness – traits that should shine on special teams coverage.”

Via draft maven Dane Brugler from The Athletic, “A two-year starter at Auburn, Thomas (5'10/215) was the boundary safety in defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s man-heavy scheme. While Derrick Brown was the crown jewel of Auburn’s 2016 recruiting class, Thomas was the lowest-ranked signee, but he quickly changed the narrative as a freshman, picking off Jalen Hurts twice in his first Iron Bowl appearance. Thomas has NFL speed and loves to hunt, but he must consistently trust his vision to unlock his explosive qualities and make plays on the ball (only six passes defended in 26 starts the last two years). Although he competes with energy and violence as a run defender, he finds himself spending too much time hung up on blockers and needs to improve his discipline as a finisher. Overall, Thomas is not the type of player you want to trust as the last line of defense, but he competes with range, confidence and toughness – traits that should shine on special teams.”

Thomas also recorded 14 run stops last season and was awarded an 88.8 coverage grade last season by PFF. He recorded two interceptions last season, both of which came against Alabama State. Thomas figures to be a big part of the Auburn secondary again in 2019.

Thomas showed off his strength earlier in Indianapolis with 24 bench reps, and the 40-yard time is nothing to sneeze at. The former Auburn defensive back is viewed as a box safety, and this kind of run time shows he can help against the deep ball, as well. Special teams should be a lock for Thomas, and it appears likely he’s drafted this April.

Thomas (5'10/215) tied Arkansas’ Kamren Curl for most reps on the bench press among defensive backs. NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein compares the Auburn safety to Marcell Harris of the 49ers, noting that Thomas possesses the “size, explosiveness and special teams potential to compete for a roster spot as a backup strong safety” coming out of the draft.