What’s better than one former LSU star receiver? How about two? The school some people call “Wide Receiver University” -- yes, you totally sane Ohio State fans, we see you -- also happens to be where New York Giants star Malik Nabers played his college ball.
It also just so happens to be where Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. went to school. And funny enough, the two were teammates for three years, terrorizing opposing cornerbacks from 2021 through 2023. Both ended up going in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, with Nabers going sixth overall and Thomas landing in Jacksonville at No. 23.
If you’re like me, you’re probably sitting there thinking it would be pretty rad if the Giants somehow pulled off a blockbuster trade to reunite the duo in East Rutherford. You’d probably also assume there’s no way Jacksonville would move a 23-year-old receiver who just posted 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie (one season ago).
Apparently that assumption might not be as safe as it sounds.
According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, the Jaguars are open to business and at least willing to listen to offers for their young wideout. That suddenly makes Thomas the kind of high-upside swing general manager Joe Schoen should absolutely pick up the phone about:
SOURCES: The #Jaguars are entertaining offers for WR Brian Thomas, @snytv has learned.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 9, 2026
Both the #Jets & #Giants explored Thomas at the traded deadline last year, but Jacksonville wasn't willing to do any deal.
That stance has changed.
Thomas had a down 2025 (48 catches, 707… pic.twitter.com/VwpsvjdG0E
Get him on the team!
Reuniting Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. in New York would be unfair
Hughes pointed out that the G-Men poked around on a move at last year’s trade deadline, but the Jaguars thought it was nonsense to move a second-year receiver of his age and his talent and his potential and his everything else. Apparently, they've changed their tune on nonsense.
Listen, even if he is available in talks, that doesn't mean he's easily attainable. Teams aren't looking to get fleeced in trade talks, especially when it comes to players who finished fourth place in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting not two years ago. But his production did dip in Year 2. There's a reason why he's available.
So what would Duval realistically be looking for? A first-rounder feels like the pipe dream, but a second-round pick with a Day 3 sweetener feels like a reasonable starting point. Two third-rounders might at least get the conversation going. Who knows, maybe a player gets tossed in there to make things a little more interesting.
Regardless, this is a phone call the Giants have to make. On free agency Day 1 they addressed the tight end room with Isaiah Likely and brought back wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins. They also lost Wan’Dale Robinson to the Titans, which leaves a pretty obvious WR2-sized hole waiting to be filled by someone like Thomas.
If the Jaguars are actually listening, Schoen would be crazy not to at least make a call. Nabers and Thomas together would instantly be one of the most exciting WR duos in the league. And wouldn't that just be lovely for franchise quarterback Jaxson Dart? They need more weapons anyway.