JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) 鈥� No one in Jacksonville made more plays and turned more heads this offseason than receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The third-year pro caught every pass thrown his way and was mostly uncoverable during organized team activities and minicamp. It was an encouraging sight for a franchise hoping Thomas can become a No. 1 receiver in 2026 鈥� and for years to come.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just another step,鈥� Thomas said last month. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a big step in where I鈥檓 trying to go and where I鈥檓 headed.鈥�
Nonetheless, Thomas still has plenty to prove as training camp opens Wednesday: He needs to show he can catch passes in traffic and over the middle, reversing a troubling trend from last season.
Thomas had 48 receptions on 91 targets, catching just 47.3% of the balls thrown his way. He tied for second in the NFL with 10 drops and had several more in which he short-armed attempts or stopped running. He even ducked while going for one pass in the end zone.
He made plays, too, but finished with 707 yards and two touchdowns a year after hauling in 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 TDs and making the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
No one 鈥� not even Thomas 鈥� could figure out exactly why he seemed off all season. Yes, the , Kyren Lacy, in April 2025 weighed on his mind. And the mounting drops definitely affected his confidence.
鈥淚t was just really a lack of concentration, not being focused on the task at hand,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 really try to make excuses. Even with all the off-field stuff that鈥檚 went on 鈥� had a rough last offseason 鈥� but I just got to focus on the task at hand, lock in and go out there and do my job.鈥�
He was able to get a 鈥渕ental reset鈥� following a in the playoffs and credited his father with helping him regroup in February and March.
鈥淲e heard everything that was going on, all that, but he just told me, 鈥楥ome out here and be undeniable,鈥欌�� Thomas said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 just something I live by every day. I want to be undeniable.鈥�
The 23rd pick in the 2024 NFL draft was undeniably the best Jaguars receiver in offseason drills. He constantly made big plays down the field and looked more like he did as a sensational rookie than a struggling second-year pro.
鈥淲hen it all the way clicks for him, I really don鈥檛 see how you stop him,鈥� fellow Jaguars receiver Jakobi Meyers said. 鈥淏ut good luck to whoever is trying.鈥�
The Jaguars believe they have one of their deepest receiving corps in years, especially if Thomas returns to form. They acquired last year, watched Parker Washington emerge as Trevor Lawrence鈥檚 top target down the stretch and have returning from a season-ending knee injury.
Thomas, though, could be the most important guy in the position group.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to not hear everything,鈥� coach Liam Coen said. 鈥淔or him, I know there were standards in which he wanted to improve upon. 鈥� I鈥檝e been very pleased with the way that he has attacked this offseason. He鈥檚 come out here and worked his (butt) off, having a great attitude and then making plays. That is something that you cannot simulate in routes on air. You cannot simulate that type of confidence until you do it in practice.鈥�
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