The Jacksonville Jaguars underwhelmed in 2024. After starting the season with playoff hopes, they limped to a finish behind an offense that simply couldn’t find its rhythm. Trevor Lawrence struggled, completing just 60.6% of his passes (second-worst in the league) while throwing for 11 TDs across 10 games. While Lawrence struggled, Mac Jones stepped into the mix for much of the season, filling in for the injured Lawrence, which prevented the offense from truly gelling and finding consistency.
However, as we head into 2025, there’s reason to believe this WR room may deserve another look.
One thing that immediately stands out from last season is rookie Brian Thomas’ impact. As the chart below shows, Thomas commanded over 30% of the Jaguars’ total air yards share, well clear of anyone else on the roster. That type of usage is what you want to see in a true WR1, and it’s rare for a rookie to step in and dominate that role so quickly.
The Jaguars’ WR depth chart looks very different heading into 2025. Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis are no longer with the team, clearing the way for Thomas to continue as the alpha. With those two out of the picture, over 50% of the air yard share is up for grabs.
The current room is built around:
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Brian Thomas Jr. – The clear WR1, coming off a phenomenal rookie debut.
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Parker Washington – A third-year player who will slot in as the WR2 or WR3.
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Travis Hunter – the Jaguars ‘ first-round draft pick out of Colorado, who put up 12.9 yards per catch and 15 TDs in 2024. His versatility and explosiveness make him a strong candidate for immediate impact.
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Tim Patrick – A veteran deep threat.
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Dyami Brown – Coming off a 30-catch, 308-yard, 1-TD season, Brown brings depth and speed to stretch defenses.
This unit surely isn’t star-studded, and while we can’t predict how Hunter will perform in the NFL, the only seemingly sure thing is Brian Thomas. Thomas is set to have an immense role on this Jaguars team, and will continue to see the lion’s share of targets and air yards. Their lack of depth at the WR position opens the way for their young wideouts to make a name for themselves, however, making Hunter and Washington valid picks for breakout candidates.
Again, this WR room certainly isn’t one to write home about. However, Brian Thomas‘ position is one that should get the attention of all fantasy owners. With his biggest competition coming from an unproven rookie, he is set to have a massive season, especially with an offense that threw the ball 57% of the time last season. The Ballers have Thomas ranked at 8th overall amongst WRs for 2025, so don’t second-guess it!
Take your chance on Brian Thomas as a breakout WR1 candidate, and don’t sleep on Hunter or Washington as late-round grabs. If Lawrence can stay healthy in 2025, this young offense will be exciting to watch and will put up solid fantasy numbers.
from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/hGqAUYt
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