written by: CHUCK GEORGE/outlook news
photos by: JUAN MOORE/outlook news
The Jacksonville Jaguars rolled into the 2024 NFL Draft with eight picks but came out with nine after some slick trades. They’ve got a solid squad of vets, but if they’re serious about reclaiming the AFC South, their rookies need to hit the ground running. Not every rookie is going to light up the field right away, but these two have to step up big time in 2024. A strong training camp is the first step on that grind.
Brain Thomas Jr. – WR
Picked 23rd overall, Brain Thomas Jr. has some big shoes to fill with Calvin Ridley bouncing to the Titans. Thomas might not have been as hyped as his LSU teammate Malik Nabers, who went to the Giants at No. 5, but this kid can ball. At LSU, he was a game-changer, scoring on 4.1% of his team attempts—the highest among all wide receiver prospects in this draft.
In Jacksonville, Thomas joins a loaded receiver corps with Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and Devin Duvernay. This crew will help ease the pressure, but Thomas has to make plays early if the Jags’ offense is going to click. He’s got to tighten up his communication with coaches and teammates, but his transition to the pros has been smooth so far. Now, it’s all about avoiding those rookie speed bumps in training camp.
Thomas has the speed, agility, and versatility to create mismatches all over the field. Whether it’s lining up in the backfield, split out wide, or in the slot, this offensive weapon is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Coaches are excited about the different ways they can get this explosive talent involved in the game plan this season.
Jarrian Jones – CB
Cornerback was a glaring need for the Jags after they cut Darious Williams in the offseason. They did grabbed Ronald Darby in free agency but still needed more depth. It was a head-scratcher when they didn’t snag a cornerback at No. 17, opting to trade down and pick Brian Thomas Jr. Then at No. 42, they went with defensive tackle Maason Smith. It wasn’t until the third round, with the 96th pick, that they got Jarrian Jones. In hindsight, waiting might’ve been the move.
Jones didn’t come into the draft as a top prospect, but that didn’t dent his confidence. He showed up to offseason activities, making plays and flashing his athleticism. The coaching staff is hyped about his development so far.
Jones has some tough competition with Tyson Campbell and Ronald Darby ahead of him on the depth chart. Campbell, coming off an injury-plagued season, was a top-10 cornerback in 2022. Darby has also missed time the last two years but has played at a high level when healthy. This might be a blessing in disguise for Jones, giving him a chance to learn from the best. He’ll need to be ready to step up if either Campbell or Darby goes down—something that could happen sooner rather than later given their injury history.
Both Thomas and Jones have the talent and mindset to step in and contribute immediately. As the Jaguars ramp up their preparations for the season, these impact players will be two of the biggest storylines to watch unfold in training camp. Their development will be crucial to the team’s success in 2024 and beyond.
These two rookies have the talent and swagger to make a serious impact for the Jaguars. If they can crush it in training camp and carry that momentum into the season, the Jags might just have the firepower to make some noise in the AFC South.