In the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars added another weapon for their franchise quarterback.
Former Clemson star Trevor Lawrence now has another playmaker at his disposal after the Jags spent their first-round pick (23rd overall) on former LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. — a second-team All-SEC selection and a third-team All-America selection in 2023.
Thomas joins an array of other weapons for Lawrence in Jacksonville, including wideouts Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis, along with tight end Evan Engram and of course, former Clemson star running back Travis Etienne.
During ESPN’s coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft, analyst Booger McFarland commented on the Jags’ selection of Thomas, saying the pick puts Lawrence “on the clock” heading into the upcoming season.
“For Trevor Lawrence, to me, this clearly puts him on the clock,” McFarland said. “Last year was Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk. Now we’re going to get you another receiver. At some point, Trevor Lawrence, when are you going to take the next step. You have a guy that can go up and get the 50-50 balls. You have to take that next step and start to make plays.”
As a junior last season, Thomas led the FBS with 17 touchdown receptions and scored in 10 of 13 games. The 6-foot-3, 209-pounder caught 68 passes for 1,177 yards to go with his 17 touchdowns in 2023.
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick believes Thomas has the potential to be “a huge get” for Lawrence.
“He’s going to have to realize what is going to be asked of him down there, which is win on the outside,” Riddick said of Thomas. “Christian Kirk will handle the inside. Look, they’ve got Gabe Davis, who will really stretch the field with him too. He can run more routes than Gabe Davis can, a better route-runner than Gabe. And it stood out at the combine. When you sat there in the end zone at Lucas Oil (Stadium in Indianapolis) and you watched him run his routes, you kept going, ‘Who is that guy?’ I mean, he’s as smooth as silk. … Man, if they can get him to embrace the opportunity, this is a huge get for Trevor Lawrence.”
Lawrence battled through multiple injuries in 2023 but only missed one game (the first missed game of his NFL career) last season, when he completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 4,016 yards and 21 touchdowns with 14 interceptions.
A Pro Bowler in 2022, Lawrence has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 11,770 yards and 58 touchdowns with 39 interceptions over 50 career starts in his young NFL career since being selected by Jacksonville with the first overall pick in 2021.
Lawrence and the Jags are looking to bounce back from a disappointing, 9-8 season in 2023 that saw the team lose five of its final six games and miss the playoffs — coming off a 2022 campaign when Jacksonville won the AFC South title and won a postseason game for the first time since 2017.
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
Most Popular
Comments / 0