The Eagles’ offense has been searching for answers, and the absence of DeVonta Smith has only sharpened the need for another difference-maker at receiver. Smith has been out the last two games with a hamstring injury, there’s no clear timeline for his return, and Philadelphia’s passing game could use a jolt.
That’s why Brian Thomas Jr. is worth watching.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler floated Thomas as a player who could be available following the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade, and Graziano pointed to how his role has shifted in Jacksonville.
"He seems to have fallen behind both Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers in the Jaguars' wide receiver pecking order, which is one reason teams are interested in finding out if he's available. It's a logical thought: Thomas is a former first-round pick and a top talent who might fit better in a different offense, similar to Houston's thinking on Harrison," Graziano wrote.
There were already offseason whispers about Thomas potentially being moved, though Jacksonville pushed back at the time and said he was part of the future. Still, where there’s smoke, there’s usually at least something worth checking out, and the Eagles should be among the teams making that call.
The production drop is hard to ignore. After a strong rookie year, Thomas has slid since Liam Coen took over in 2025, and he’s now behind Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers on the depth chart. The numbers tell the story:
Brian Thomas Jr. career stats
Season
Targets
Catches
Receiving Yards
Receiving Touchdowns
Yards Per Game
2024
133
87
1,282
10
75.4
2025
91
48
707
2
50.5
2026
18
9
105
1
21.0
His season high in receiving yards this year is just 40, which underscores how much his role has changed. Whatever the reason, the fit hasn’t clicked the way Jacksonville hoped, and his name staying in trade chatter says plenty on its own.
That possibility becomes even more interesting with the Jaguars expected to give Washington a big-money extension in the offseason. If the price is right, moving Thomas would make sense for Jacksonville, and his profile would make sense for Philadelphia.
Thomas is a 6-foot-2 LSU product with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, and the speed shows up on tape. He’s still 24, still has that big-play gear, and still looks like a player who could do more damage in a different setup.
For the Eagles, the fit is obvious. With Smith out, the top three receivers are Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, and Darius Cooper.
Wicks has held up well, Cooper has already scored four touchdowns, and Lemon is still getting his footing. But this passing game needs more juice, and Thomas would bring it right away.
He’d give Philadelphia another talented weapon and, maybe just as importantly, a player with something to prove. If the Eagles want to add real explosiveness to an offense that has lacked much of a spark, Howie Roseman shouldn’t dismiss the chance to chase Thomas.
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