Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Brian Thomas Jr.

Friday, June 5, 9:44 AM

After a disappointing sophomore season in 2025, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. appears to be developing new chemistry with quarterbackTrevor Lawrence during OTAs this offseason, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN. Thomas has been the subject of numerous offseason trade rumors, but instead, he's expected to stick around in Duvall and could be headed for a bounce-back in Year 3. Lawrence missed seven games during Thomas' impressive rookie season, so most of his production came with backup Mac Jones throwing him the football. Then, both players were learning new head coach Liam Coen's offense last year, with Lawrence limited while coming off shoulder surgery. Thomas had five drops in his first seven games in 2025 and also missed four games with ankle and shoulder injuries. The 23-year-old former 23rd overall pick out of LSU finished with a 48-707-2 line in 14 regular-season starts after catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 TDs as a rookie. It hasn't helped Thomas' cause that the Jags acquired Jakobi Meyers in a midseason trade, or that Parker Washington took on an expanded role. Those two receivers are still on the roster, but it doesn't mean that Thomas can't bounce back from his disappointing showing in 2025 with better chemistry with Lawrence. Coen said the coaching staff is "trying to get a true connection" going between Thomas and Lawrence. It's something to watch for fantasy managers with Thomas certainly coming at a discount in 2026 drafts.