Brian Thomas Jr. is generating massive training camp separation against Jacksonville cornerbacks, commanding the deep targets in Liam Coen’s revamped vertical passing offense. Despite a sophomore slump where he averaged just 9.9 Fantasy Points Per Game, his elite 99th-percentile Speed Score remains a mismatch on the outside.
Savvy drafters should exploit his suppressed WR3 market price before the market fully corrects. If Thomas locks down the X receiver position and demonstrates downfield efficiency throughout the summer, he will be the signature way-too-early value and ADP riser in both best ball and dynasty league fantasy football formats this offseason.
According to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated, ...
According to Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, ...
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington finds ...
Trevor Lawrence hit his stride late last season, pushing his deep ball to log a 14.8-yard average depth of target on his way to 29 passing touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen aims to expand this vertical attack by featuring Brian Thomas Jr. in 2026.
Thomas caught just two touchdowns during a disappointing sophomore campaign. If Lawrence’s work to improve his deep ball timing translates into more downfield pass completions, Thomas will easily smash his depressed ADP in both fantasy football best ball and dynasty league formats.
Parker Washington was a black box prospect coming out of Penn State. When given an opportunity, he commanded an impressive 24.7-percent Target Rate (No. 21 among qualified wide receivers) down the stretch last year and absolutely dominating the final three games with 19 receptions for 347 yards and two scores. Jaguars coaches and beat writers are already touting his spring practice dominance. Specifically, Head Coach Liam Coen told reporters he wants Washington to run a more diverse route tree.
The arrow is pointing up after Washington’s breakout campaign where he boasted a +19.6-percent Target Premium (No. 15) and an elite 124.0 Total Route Win Rate (No. 4). Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley also believes the Jaguars are preparing to offer Washington a three-year, $55 million contract.
Washington is currently a screaming value in all fantasy football formats, especially dynasty leagues given the upward trajectory Jacksonville’s passing game.
Recent trade rumors linked Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to the Philadelphia Eagles in a potential blockbuster deal involving Eagles star A.J. Brown. Rumors suggested Jacksonville would package Thomas with a draft pick to upgrade their receiving corps, though the team has previously dismissed similar trade reports.
Critics point out that Brown, who is heavily linked to New England this summer, would conflict with a Jaguars scheme that intentionally avoids using a designated WR1. Furthermore, it would be highly unexpected for Jacksonville to give up on the 23-year-old Thomas after just one down season following a stellar 2024 rookie campaign. Thomas is a strong buy low candidate in dynasty and best ball fantasy football leagues.
Travis Hunter played more offense than defense last year, yet he is still expected to see a significant increase in snaps at cornerback this season. Hunter previously flashed breakout potential as a wide receiver before a knee injury cut his promising debut short.
Jacksonville needs manpower in the secondary and has the luxury of a crowded WR depth chart. Hunter will play a role on offense, but he does not project to command the necessary volume to provide real fantasy value during his sophomore campaign. Savvy dynasty leaguers will use this most recent Hunter coachspeak as a sell window.
Shipley had strong words for his sports media establishment colleagues, accusing Jacksonville beat reporters of failing a literacy test and hallucinating a full-time move to cornerback. “At zero point have the Jaguars ever once indicated he will not play both ways, just as he did last year,” Shipley insisted. His rant continued by saying Jaguars HC Liam Coen has “embraced the disrespect” of reporters who wildly speculate on Jacksonville’s intentions.
Shipley did concede that “[Hunter] will play more cornerback.” Despite a 2025 campaign where he posted a modest 1.32 Yards Per Route Run and 10.5 Yards Per Reception before the injury, it would be rational if the Jaguars deploy sub-packages that leverage Hunter’s elite athleticism and dual-threat utility.
Hunter’s dynasty value has been in free-fall in 2026. Jacksonville’s wide receiver room is stocked with talent, but the offense is one injury away from needing Hunter’s versatility. His value is impossible to pinpoint, because he will not command the necessary targets to start in any fantasy league, but he possesses WR1 talent if the team ever decides to deploy him as a full-time receiver.
