Earlier this week, the Jaguars were mentioned as a candidate to trade up in the draft order. Jacksonville is without its own Day 1 selection for 2026 thanks to last year’s aggressive move to acquire pick No. 2 and use it on Travis Hunter.
Acquiring a Day 1 pick for tonight would no doubt require parting with some of the mid-round capital the Jags possess. As things stand, the team owns a second-rounder along with three third-round picks. Moving up the board could also include a package featuring a player, and one whose name has been floated multiple times this offseason seems to be an option on that front.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports the Jaguars “may be trying to lay the foundation” for a trade into the back end of the first-round order. He adds receiver Brian Thomas Jr. could be included in the return general manager James Gladstone offers to a team picking in that range. Thomas was discussed leading up to the 2025 trade deadline, with no swap taking place. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist was again mentioned as a trade candidate at the start of the new league year.
Reports have pushed back against the notion of Thomas being available, and Gladstone himself said last month there had not been any serious discussions with other teams. The draft certainly provides an opportunity for that to change, but for the time being Thomas is on course to remain a key figure on offense moving forward. The 23-year-old saw his production drop during head coach Liam Coen‘s first year at the helm, but he could still operate as a starter alongside Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers for 2026 and beyond.
Meyers inked a three-year, $60MM deal shortly upon arrival via trade. Washington, meanwhile, is among the players discussing an extension with the Jags. Thomas is under team control through at least 2027, and his fifth-year option could be exercised next spring to cover the 2028 campaign. Jacksonville must also consider Hunter’s role, which could include part-time receiver work but more of an emphasis on cornerback duties next year.
Running back Jadarian Price has previously be named as a target for the Jags in the event he becomes available late in the first round or early in the second. Adding in the backfield would be a logical goal after Travis Etienne‘s free agent departure, but in any case Thomas’ status as a potential trade chip will be worth watching at the draft unfolds.
Well that would be spicy. I could see a bunch of teams being interested. Maybe KC. Maybe the Giants reunite him with Nabers.
From the Giants…..no thanks….picks 56, 81, and 88 and Thomas for one of our #1’s….a big no thanks….top heavy draft with lots of questions beginning in the second round and certainly well before 56….doubt if anyone in the top 10 would think making a trade with them is a good idea…..
Bear in mind a team can trade down more than once.
Jacksonville’s trade up to draft Hunter is gonna be one of those moves everybody shakes their heads at in ten years.
I was shaking my head the moment it was announced. Anyone with a brain knew Hunter was not going to be able to play both sides of the ball full time. I think Hunter will end up being a really good defensive back so it won’t be a wasted pick, just an expensive one. But the comparisons to Ohtani were ridiculous.
It is ridiculous until it isn’t. I agree that it was likely always a pipe dream but if he could do it consistently at a high level, good lord that is insane value for a team.
I don’t even know what you were trying to say here? IF he could, it’d be great value. It was ridiculous to think that he could and even more ridiculous to spend as much capital as they did to take the gamble. Baseball is a very different sport than football. Even Ohtani couldn’t stay healthy playing both ways, it just happens that pitching injuries don’t necessarily stop you from being able to hit.
I think Hunter could end up being pretty decent at either DB or WR, but even if he somehow managed to handle the physical load, I’d argue that there isn’t enough practice time/reps under this CBA for him to actually be able to develop at both positions.
I think I explained myself pretty clearly.
Yes, just talking head podcast stuff from “the experts”…..lol
Agree, but it won’t take 10 years. Hunter very well might end up being a good player, but he needed to hit the ground running on both offense and defense to justify what they gave up for him.
Brian Thomas Jr. is Brian Thomas Jr. But a first round pick could be anything. It could even be a wide receiver as good as Brian Thomas Jr.!
So with a rookie coach, you have to wonder why he was used the way he was coming off of a first season’s success….did the HC know something everyone else didn’t?
It could also be a more productive wide receiver in that offense, which wouldn’t exactly be shocking since Lawrence seems to be allergic to him. BTJ needs to go somewhere where he’s used correctly.
Trade to lions for their pick? Hmmmmm
Just when the Jags seem to have broken through and put their embarrassing mistakes of the past in the rear view mirror, they decide they rather rid themselves of their best players in exchange for lottery tickets. It seems some franchises just can’t stand prosperity…lol.
It’s not like he really impacted them last season. He had just over 700 yards and 2 TD in 14 games. Not a dominant season. He was the 4th option on offense behind Etienne (I know, he’s gone, but still), Meyers, and Washington. It’s strange, but T-Law does not seem to trust him or something. So they might as well move on from him and get an asset that can be more useful.