Marvin Harrison Jr.’s expected exit from Arizona could wind up being more than just another wide receiver storyline for the Jaguars to watch from a distance.
If the Cardinals end up moving the former top-5 pick, the return they get may offer Jacksonville a useful measuring stick for one of its own young receivers: Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars do not appear any closer to entertaining a Thomas trade, and that has remained the case even with his snap counts and role shifting over the first month of the season. Jacksonville has stayed committed to him, even if he hasn’t been a high-volume piece in the deep passing game.
Still, the Harrison situation matters because it could help establish the market. Reports have said Arizona is seeking a second-round pick for Harrison, and if that is the final price, it would create a clear baseline for what Thomas might be worth if the Jaguars ever did listen to offers before next month’s trade deadline.
The comparison starts and ends with production. Thomas has been the better player through the opening stretch of both careers, and the gap is not small.
He leads Harrison in games played, AV (approximate value), receptions, receiving yards, catch rate, yards per target, yards after the catch per reception, and passer rating when targeted. Even with Thomas operating as more of the third or fourth option this season, he still has more catches and more yards than Harrison, who has run more than double the number of routes Thomas has.
That’s why Harrison’s trade return would be only the beginning of the conversation if Thomas ever came up in talks. The two were both first-round picks in the same class, but Thomas has clearly been the stronger NFL receiver so far.
For now, there is no sign Jacksonville wants to move him. But that won’t stop other teams from asking, and whatever the Cardinals get for Harrison should help shape what a serious inquiry on Thomas would have to look like.
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