JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville traded down six spots and drafted LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, continuing to build around franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Adding the 6-foot-3, 209-pound Thomas should help offset the loss of Calvin Ridley to division rival Tennessee in free agency and give the Jaguars a chance to have a legitimate No. 1 receiver for the first time since Jimmy Smith retired following the 2005 season.
Thomas led the Bowl Subdivision with 17 receiving touchdowns last season. He finished with 68 catches for 1,177 yards, averaging a whopping 17.3 yards a reception.
He joins a position group that includes Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Zay Jones. No one would be surprised to see him become Lawrence’s go-to guy at some point, maybe in 2024.
Jacksonville signed Davis to a three-year, $39 million contract that included $24 million guaranteed. Kirk is scheduled to count $24.2 million against the salary cap. Kirk and Jones both missed games last year.
Gusts of activity underway by friends and foes of offshore wind energy projects
Verstappen takes pole for Chinese GP to extend F1 dominance. Hamilton 18th
Invest In China: Multinationals embrace new opportunities created by China's green transition
Ryan Reynolds says Michael J. Fox helped his late father James 'feel less alone' in his 20
Feyenoord coach Arne Slot says his club in talks with Liverpool over a move to Anfield
US says a UN agency has agreed to help in distribution of aid to Gaza via sea route
3 Northern California law enforcement officers charged in death of man held facedown on the ground
Pasquantino, Melendez homer as Royals win 9
Russian deputy defense minister detained on bribery charges
Ryan Reynolds says Michael J. Fox helped his late father James 'feel less alone' in his 20
Early voting begins for North Carolina primary runoff races
Justin Verlander allows 2 runs over 6 innings in season debut for Astros in 5