2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr

2024 NFL Draft: Brian Thomas Jr Draft Profile and Scouting Report

While he saw playing time as a freshman and sophomore, Brian Thomas Jr really came alive in 2023 during his junior season. He finished the year with over 1,000 receiving yards on 60 receptions and 15 touchdowns. While his teammate Malik Nabers is near the top of the 2024 NFL Draft board, Brian Thomas Jr is also worthy of the same type of hype.

Brian Thomas Jr 40 Time

Projected 40 Time: 4.45 seconds

Brian Thomas Jr is a three-year contributor at wide receiver for the LSU Tigers. He possesses the size and ability to play either outside position at receiver, but shows effectiveness from the slot, too. Brian Thomas Jr has good height and weight for the position when compared to the league average in the NFL. Our projected 40 time of 4.45 seconds is slightly quicker than the league average.

Brian Thomas Jr displays solid separation on drag or slant routes across the middle of the field. On intermediate routes outside of the numbers, he displays very good explosiveness at the top of his route to separate form the defender. He excels at tracking the ball over his shoulder on deep routes downfield. Shows an ability to elevate and climb the ladder to catch passes above the defender. Displays an ability to make defenders miss in close quarters. Displays a willingness to block, which is why he was often lined up as a slotback on the offensive line.

However, I would like to see more aggressive hands from Brian Thomas Jr to create separation in close quarters. At the line of scrimmage, he can struggle to create instant separation from the defender on intermediate or deep routes. Shows a willingness to block defenders downfield, but his hands can get a bit wide, resulting in a holding call.