Most recently, Trevor Lawrence said he and Brian Thomas Jr. have “taken a huge step” toward improving their on-field chemistry, and ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe reports that Thomas will be used “on vertical routes” in 2026.
If Jacksonville plans to expand its deep passing game, the Jaguars will have to lean directly into a rejuvenated Thomas. He is impressing coaches and teammates by commanding separation at minicamp after a muted sophomore season containing just 9.9 Fantasy Points Per Game (No. 42).
Thomas faces target competition from teammate Jakobi Meyers, and especially Parker Washington, who earned an impressive +19.6-percent Target Premium (No. 15) and a 124.0 Total Route Win Rate (No. 4) last year. Despite the crowded wide receiver room, Thomas’ vertical profile makes him an absolute best ball bargain at his current depressed draft day cost.
After being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders by the ...
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers unlocked ...
Following a 2025 mid-season trade that brought him to ...
Jacksonville is ready to let Parker Washington handle a full-time role after a 2025 campaign where he delivered 11.5 Fantasy Points Per Game and ranked No. 16 with 2.20 Yards Per Route Run. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen aims to utilize Washington across the formation following a season where the team deployed three-wide receiver sets at a 70.9-percent rate in 2026.
A high-volume slot/flanker role for Washington would lower the weekly floor for Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers. Washington’s ADP continues to surge, and he will continue to be a strong fantasy football buy until the team ultimately extends him.
It is hard to keep up with all the receivers Lawrence is targeting frequently in training camp. When the Jaguars acquired Jakobi Meyers in Week 10 last season, he immediately commanded a team-high 63 targets and 43 receptions down the stretch.
Despite the recent spring buzz surrounding younger teammates Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., and even Tanner Koziol, Meyers projects to be the receptions leader in Jacksonville and should not be overlooked. At age 29.6, Meyers is available later in dynasty start-ups than best ball fantasy football formats.
Brian Thomas Jr. played through upper and lower body injuries during a muted sophomore campaign, resulting in a low 9.9 Fantasy Points Per Game profile. He still captured a 30.8-percent Air Yards Share and recorded 23 deep targets while adjusting to a new offensive landscape.
With multiple clean-up procedures completed this offseason, a return to full health positionally creates a strong rebound opportunity within Jacksonville’s vertical attack. Thomas is an attractive post-hype sleeper in both best ball and dynasty league formats.
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.
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.
