Patriots draft profile: Brian Thomas Jr. is a rare athlete at the wide receiver position.
The LSU product is one of the top wide receiver prospects in this year’s class.
The 2024 NFL Draft is particularly deep at wide receiver. This is, of course, good news for a New England Patriots team in dire need of some upgrades on the offensive side of the ball and that position in particular.
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One of the most intriguing prospects available, LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr. would instantly make the entire group a better one. And while adding him would likely require some draft pick gymnastics, there is no denying his talent and potential as an immediate contributor and potential difference maker right from the get-go.
Playing both football and basketball at Walker High School in his Louisiana hometown, Thomas Jr. eventually focused on the former upon moving to the college level. The four-star recruit did not move far, with LSU’s Tiger Stadium less than 20 miles from his hometown.
Thomas Jr. was a spot starter his first two collegiate seasons, combining to catch 59 passes for 720 yards and seven touchdowns in 25 games. Then, as a junior, he broke out: playing alongside fellow projected first-round picks Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers, he finished the year with 68 catches for 1,177 yards and a nation-high 17 touchdowns. He then decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the draft.
Expected round: 1 | Consensus big board: No. 18 | Patriots meeting: Scouting Combine
Strengths: If you had to sum up Thomas Jr.’s game with one word, it would be “smooth.” Despite measuring in at almost 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds at the Combine, he is as effortless a mover on the football field as you will ever see. While not the most sudden runner, he can get up to speed quickly, cover considerable ground with his strides, and challenge defenses vertically seemingly without much of an effort.
Thomas Jr. therefore brings legitimate deep threat potential to the table. Not only did he run a 4.33-second 40-yard dash during pre-draft testing, he also looks the part on the field: his speed allows him to create separation, while he has the ball tracking skills and body control to properly adjust to passes in the air. His length additionally gives him an advantage over smaller defensive backs, and helps him come away victorious in contested and jump ball situations.
In general, Thomas Jr. offers rare athleticism. While his 11 bench press reps hurt his overall score and he did neither run the 3-cone nor the short shuttle drills, he still was able to post a 9.84 Relative Athletic Score due to his elite combination of size, speed and explosiveness. His testing also translates to the field, as his outstanding 2023 season can attest.
