The Chiefs are still hunting for help at receiver, and Brian Thomas Jr. has suddenly become a name to watch as the trade deadline chatter starts to build.
According to a report from Sam Robinson of ProFootballRumors.com, Kansas City could have interest in swinging a deal for the Jacksonville Jaguars wideout. Robinson’s source was Dan Graziano, who predicted that the Jaguars would work something out with one of the receiver-needy teams out there, and Kansas City fits that description. Rashee Rice has had moments, but Xavier Worthy has not broken through in a big way, even after the preseason buzz that he would play a major role in the offense.
Thomas’s usage in Jacksonville has been uneven. He was targeted nine times in the Jaguars’ 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 2, but Trevor Lawrence has only looked his way four times combined in the other two games this season. Through three games, Thomas has seven catches for 88 yards.
The numbers tell part of the story, but the depth chart situation matters too. Robinson reported that Thomas has fallen behind Parker Robinson and Jakobi Meyers, with tight end Brenton Strange’s seven receptions matching Thomas’s total so far. Meanwhile, Washington and Meyers have produced more yardage than Thomas.
That’s where the fit gets complicated. Thomas dealt with drop issues last year, and that was part of the reason Jacksonville brought in Jakobi Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders. Meyers gave the Jaguars’ offense a lift, while Washington is beginning to look like a real star this season.
It’s the same kind of problem the Chiefs ran into late last year, which makes it fair to wonder whether adding another receiver with ball-security questions is the right move.
Then there’s the Patrick Mahomes factor. Mahomes is famously selective about which pass-catchers earn his trust, and Travis Kelce is still putting up receiving records deep into his 30s because of that. New wideouts can have a hard time getting integrated once the deadline has passed.
Still, Thomas checks the box that matters most: talent. He’s a first-round player, and Andy Reid has a strong track record when it comes to evaluating receivers. At the same time, it’s getting tougher to figure out what Reid sees in Worthy.
If Reid believes Thomas is worth developing and the Chiefs are willing to beat out other suitors, moving a second-day pick for the LSU product would not be out of the question.
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For Kansas City, the intrigue goes beyond the standings and into how the roster stacks up against a Raiders team still searching for traction under new leadership. The discussion around this matchup has centered on performances, key players and coaching changes, with plenty of speculation about how the game could unfold. What matters most for the Chiefs is simple enough: a chance to protect their place in the division and get an early read on a rival that could linger in the picture all season. [Read more 🡒]