The trade market is starting to take shape around Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., and a few familiar contenders are hovering.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that multiple teams are believed to be interested in dealing for Thomas before the deadline, with the Chiefs, Steelers and Commanders the clubs to keep an eye on if Jacksonville decides to move him.
There’s another wrinkle, though: Florio says Pittsburgh has “greater interest” in Colts receiver Josh Downs, who could also be Kansas City’s fallback option if a Thomas deal never comes together.
What Jacksonville is willing to do remains the big question. Teams have continued to check in on Thomas, but his recent on-field struggles have cut into both his snaps and his targets. His role has fallen sharply since his rookie year, and he’s now sitting behind Parker Washington, who is in the middle of a breakout season, as well as veteran Jakobi Meyers.
The Jaguars also had a chance to move him last year and passed on some big offers before the deadline.
Downs, meanwhile, is apparently available for a third-round pick as the Colts continue their fire sale.
Thomas is 24 and was a three-year starter at LSU, where he earned third-team All-American and second-team All-SEC honors in 2023. Jacksonville took him with the No. 23 pick in the 2024 draft.
He’s in the third year of a four-year, $14,383,048 rookie contract that included a $7,280,399 signing bonus. The deal also comes with a fifth-year option the team can exercise in 2028.
In 2026, Thomas has played in six games for the Jaguars and has nine catches on 18 targets for 105 yards and one touchdown.
Downs is 25, was a two-year starter at North Carolina and picked up first-team All-ACC honors in 2021 and 2022 before entering the 2023 NFL Draft after his junior season.
Indianapolis selected Downs in the third round with the No. 79 overall pick. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $5,520,458 rookie contract that included a $1,014,879 signing bonus.
This season, Downs has appeared in seven games for the Colts and has 26 receptions on 46 targets for 307 yards, an 11.8 YPC average, and no touchdowns.
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