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Jaguars sign WR Brian Thomas Jr. to rookie deal, wrap up entire 2024 draft class
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- Jaguars sign WR Brian Thomas Jr. to rookie deal, wrap up entire 2024 draft class
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Friday that they've signed rookie first-round receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas, the final Jaguars rookie that needed to get a deal done. All rookie contracts are for four years and first-round picks are given a team-controlled fifth-year option.
In an unrelated move, the Jaguars also claimed offensive lineman Jack Anderson to the team's active 90-man roster. Anderson was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
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He has bounced around a few rosters, primarily on practice squads, since, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles , New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts in addition to the Bills since 2021. He most recently played for the Colts in 2023.
Thomas, selected with pick No. 23 in April's draft, is expected to step in right away as one of the team's primary receiver options. His four-year deal with the team will likely mirror that of Minnesota Vikings receiver Jordan Addison 's contract from a year prior at pick No. 23.
Addison's deal with the Vikings is a four-year contract worth $13,731,736. The deal is fully guaranteed, as are all first-round pick contracts. Addison received a signing bonus worth $6,986,716. Thomas will likely receive the same.
A standout player out of LSU, Thomas led the nation in 2023 with 17 receiving touchdowns. He's already impressed the team's signal-caller Trevor Lawrence through Organized Team Activities this spring.
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"I really like him. Obviously, just talented, can fly, he's really smart and that's the one thing I'm most impressed with is he's picking up the offense super fast," said Lawrence when asked about Thomas this week .
Jaguars receiver Christian Kirk also had high praise for the rookie wideout, noting that he's "really advanced" from a technique perspective. That should enable Thomas to thrive on the field quicker than a typical rookie wideout would.
In addition to Thomas, the Jaguars signed the rest of the team's rookie class over the last few weeks including, defensive lineman Maason Smith (second round), cornerback Jarrian Jones (third round), offensive tackle Javon Foster (fourth round), DL Jordan Jefferson (fourth round), CB Deantre Prince (fifth round), running back Keilan Robinson (fifth round), kicker Cameron Little (sixth round) and edge rusher Myles Cole (seventh round).
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars wrap up draft class, sign Brian Thomas Jr. to rookie deal
