With training camp getting closer, the Jaguars’ wide receiver group comes with one clear question hanging over it: can Brian Thomas Jr. get back to the level he showed as a rookie?
That’s the spotlight here, because Thomas is the name everyone is watching in Jacksonville’s pass-catching room. After a first season that hinted at real star potential, the second-year receiver is trying to prove last year’s dip was just that - a dip.
Thomas put up nearly 1,300 receiving yards on 87 catches as a rookie. This past season, that number slid to 707 yards on 72 receptions.
Missed time played a part in the drop, but the decline wasn’t just about availability. His efficiency fell too, even when measured on a per-route basis.
Still, the early signs this offseason point in the right direction.
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco said Thomas was the “most impressive offensive player” during offseason programs, and the connection between Thomas and Trevor Lawrence reportedly showed up again and again on deep throws. That chemistry was a major focus for the pair this offseason, and it appears to be coming along.
SI’s Albert Breer also reported that Thomas has been fully healthy this offseason.
There’s also a clearer role taking shape. The addition of Jakobi Meyers at last year’s trade deadline opened the door for Thomas to be used more as a vertical threat instead of carrying more of the over-the-middle and intermediate work. He’ll still be asked to make plays at every level, but the Jaguars can lean into what he does best: stretch the field and threaten defenses deep.
If Thomas does bounce back, the payoff goes beyond his own stat line. More explosive plays in the passing game would follow, and the attention he draws from defenders should also create more room for Jacksonville’s other pass-catchers.
In Other News...
Bhayshul Tuten Suddenly Feels Like The Jaguars Answer At Running Back
Bhayshul Tuten has gone from a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to a player the Jaguars are suddenly treating like a real answer at running back. The former North Carolina A&T and Virginia Tech back arrived with a reputation for finding the end zone, and he has already climbed the Jacksonville depth chart enough to sit as the lead option heading into 2026, a notable turn for a player who entered the league without the kind of fanfare that usually comes with that label.
The interesting part now is less about how he got here than whether he can hold the spot. Chris Rodriguez Jr. and LeQuint Allen are in the mix, and the backfield picture is still crowded enough to keep the Jaguars from settling too quickly. For a team that has spent time sorting through options at the position, Tutens rise gives them a possible long-term fit, but the competition around him suggests this is still a job that has to be won again. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Fans Are All Saying The Same Thing About Travis Hunters Look
Travis Hunters first NFL season in Jacksonville was short, but it still gave fans a clear glimpse of why the Jaguars spent a first-round pick on him in 2025. He got on the field at both cornerback and wide receiver before a knee injury cut things off early, and even with the year ending sooner than anyone wanted, the expectation remains that he will keep working in both roles as the Jaguars lean more heavily on him on defense.
Recently posted photos from Hunters rookie year and offseason quickly became a talking point because his look has changed enough to get peoples attention. The images show a bulked-up frame and a new hairstyle, and for Jaguars fans already eager to see how he fits into the next stage of his development, it is another reminder that Hunter is still evolving before he has even settled into a full pro season. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Believe This New Coaching System Can Finally Fix A Longtime Problem
The Jaguars have spent years looking for a cleaner way to develop players, and this offseason they settled on a system built around clarity. Their new Three Better/Three Best approach asks coaches to identify three strengths and three weaknesses for each player, then use video and one-on-one meetings to lay out a simple path for improvement. It is the kind of structure that can sound almost too straightforward, but inside the building it has been welcomed as a more direct way to connect teaching with actual growth.
The idea traces back to Liam Coen, who brought it with him as part of the program he sold to Jacksonville, and it has quickly become a central part of how the staff talks about development. Coaches have embraced the process because it gives every player a defined focus instead of a vague list of fixes, and the early response has been encouraging enough to make the approach feel less like a slogan and more like a real attempt to solve one of the franchises longstanding issues. The bigger question is how far that clarity can carry once the season starts and the work gets harder. [Read more 🡒]