Brian Thomas Jr: NFL analyst lists wideout as a 2024 NFL Draft first-round wild card

In a deep wide receiver class, former LSU star Brian Thomas Jr. is expected to be the fourth wideout off the board following Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU teammate Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze.    That makes him one of the wild cards in the 2024 NFL Draft according to one NFL.com analyst.

In compiling a list of 6 first-round wild cards, Thomas Jr. makes the list based on where he is projected to fall in the draft.  With a draft ceiling as high as No. 17 and a draft floor as low as No. 28, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks believes wherever he goes, he will have the upside of a No. 1 receiver in the NFL as he sees the LSU wideout as more multi-dimensional than most analysts.

Brooks writes:

“The LSU standout ranks a notch below the "Big Three" wideouts of this class (Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze), but he is among the few wideouts in the class with true WR1 potential. A gifted pass catcher with a smooth stride and sneaky acceleration, Thomas is a big-play machine, as evidenced by his average of 17.3 yards per catch and nation-leading 17 touchdown grabs.

While some have cast Thomas as a one-dimensional vertical threat who cannot run the full route tree, I see natural ability that can make him an early WR2 with WR1 upside.”

Why Brian Thomas Jr. could be the most sought after receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft

A third team Associated Press All-American, Thomas Jr. led the FBS with 17 receiving TDs as he showed off his big play ability playing alongside Nabors and catching the ball from Jayden Daniels.  With 1,177 receiving yards at 17.3 yads per catch, his combination of size, speed and athleticism makes him a playmaker who could come out of this draft as one of the more successful receivers in the NFL. 

If not for Nabers, perhaps Thomas Jr. would be a top 10 prospect in this draft, that makes him even more a wild card given the teams who are in lined to select him, specifically two teams who lost top receivers this offseason.  The Jaguars would be an interesting destination after they lost Calvin Ridley Jr. in free agency.  As a player with electric speed, Thomas Jr. would be a delight for Trevor Lawrence in an offense dedicated to being more explosive in 2024.

Another team who would love Thomas Jr. are the Buffalo Bills.  After trading away Stefon Diggs, the Bills need to get Josh Allen a playmaker and the former LSU star would be a great weapon for the Bills quarterback.  His length and ability to track down balls overthrown would make him an instant star in the Bills’ offense, especially with how Allen and extend plays and get the ball to points of the field other QB’s cant.

If the Bills want him, they may need to trade up because there will be other teams interested in Thomas Jr., especially if he slides past the Jaguars at No. 17.  If he improves his route running, Brian Thomas Jr. has the potential to be very special.  He is most certainly a wild card in this draft because of his top receiver talent.  It is hard to believe he’ll slide to the end of the first round.