LOOK: Brian Thomas Jr. showcases NFL combine 40-time with 85-yard TD in Jaguars win!

One of the bright spots in the 2024 NFL season for the Jacksonville Jaguars had his brightest moment in a Week 5 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. 

Brian Thomas Jr., who was selected with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, continued to have a strong rookie season with 121 yards receiving and a touchdown in the team’s 37-34 win over the Colts.  The day was highlighted by an 85-yard touchdown connection from Trevor Lawrence.

Jaguars rookie looking like the player he was at LSU

After playing in the shadows of Malik Nabers at LSU, Thomas Jr. is showing his WR1 potential with the Jaguars this year.  As the fourth wide receiver taken off the board in the draft, it was his speed and ability to take the top off the defense, just like he did by running past Colts’ safety Nick Cross in a play that had that DUVAL nation lit! 

LOOK!

In what was the second-longest receiving touchdown in Jaguars history, Thomas Jr. put his team up 10-7 at the time.  It was a play the Jaguars needed and a play that showcased the speed of a player who ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL combine.

Per Next Gen Stats, Thomas hit 22.15 mph, which was the fastest speed from a ball carrier this season and the fastest play by a Jaguars ball carrier in the NGS era. With that speed, there aren't many secondary defenders who would be able to catch Thomas Jr. on the fly. In watching him run past the Colts’ secondary, LSU fans had to be reminded of that “straight-line speed” that helped him lead the FBS with 17 receiving touchdowns during his final year at the school.

Overall, Thomas Jr. is an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate with 397 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns through Week 5 of the NFL season.  The outstanding 2024 NFL Draft selection is a catalyst in getting the Jaguars’ offense going.  Along with running back Tank Dell, Thomas Jr. was a big factor in earning his team their first victory of the season and perhaps sparked a fire in the offense to get the team going.

Although it’s been a tough start for Lawrence and the Jaguars, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft looks like he has a bonafide weapon in Thomas Jr. who will just get better as the season moves forward.