This year’s NFL Draft will begin on April 25 in Detroit, Mich. With immense skill from the top of the draft to the bottom, let’s take a look at LSU’s crafty, inside-outside receiving weapon, Brian Thomas Jr.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Draft scouting reports.
Thomas was a four-star receiver, and the fourth-ranked player in Louisiana coming out of Walker High School. He received offers from numerous big-time schools, including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Florida State, before committing to LSU. A two-sport athlete, he excelled at basketball in high school and even received (but turned down) offers to play on the hardwood in college.
At LSU, Thomas started 15 games for the Tigers, turning in 59 receptions, 720 yards, and seven scores.
Brian Thomas Jr, WR, LSU
Name: Brian Thomas Jr.
Jersey: No. 11
Position: Wide Receiver
School: LSU
Class: Junior
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 200 lbs.
That's a nasty Touchdown @BrianThomas_11 🫣
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/pKrarWncz6
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 30, 2023
Brian Thomas Jr.’s Strengths
Thomas has several strengths that make him one of the best receivers in the 2024 class. Being a former basketball player, he has soft hands and can climb the ladder easily to make contested catches. He tracks the ball beautifully and can control his body just as efficiently.
Even with his frame, he can shift and release like a smaller slot receiver, which is why he was able to move both in the slot and outside in LSU’s offense. He can also take the top off of the defense with ease. There are numerous reps where he seems to be just a deep threat if you haven’t watched a good bit of his tape. He also has burst ability off the line and can win with short routes running underneath.
Brian Thomas Jr.’s Weaknesses
Thomas is one of the more slender receivers in the class. Naturally, this will cause a few issues at the next level. He occasionally struggles against the press and can have some problems securing the ball from defenders. There’s been a larger crop of similar-built players hitting the NFL — like DeVonta Smith, Tank Dell, and Rashod Bateman — where this hasn’t been a huge problem, so it isn’t a huge concern for Thomas.
Pro Comparison: Jakobi Meyers
In terms of route running, ability to play both inside and outside, and ball skills, Thomas reminds a lot of Las Vegas Raiders receiver Jakobi Meyers. They both work very intelligently in their attacks on defenders, getting into blind spots and understanding where the holes are. Thomas and Meyers will both occasionally take the top off the defense, although you get a lot more of that juice from Thomas.
Draft Projection: Late First Round
The late first round is a hotbed for a large number of teams that could use a player like Thomas (and receiving threats in general). Baltimore, Kansas City, Dallas, and Buffalo are all teams that would deeply enjoy adding the LSU product as their second threat down the field.
Main Image Credit:
