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Trevor Lawrence #16 celebrates a third quarter touchdown with Brian Thomas Jr., who is now a Cleveland Browns trade target.
The Cleveland Browns have made their intentions clear early in NFL free agency. They’re keeping their focus on the rebuilding of the offensive line, where they’ve been weighing the possibility of five completely new starters in 2026. In doing so, though, the Browns have thus far left their wide-receiver room untouched, but that could change if they are able to pull off a deal with their favorite trading partner, the Jaguars, for wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas was a first-round pick out of LSU in 2024, and played like a star in his rookie season, collecting 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn a Pro Bowl spot. But then came Year 2 in Jacksonville, and Thomas seemed to lose all confidence. In 14 games, he caught 48 passes for 707 yards, and his drop percentage bolted from 5.3% to 11.0%.
That’s fueled teams now inquiring with the Jaguars about a trade for Thomas, with Jacksonville having brought in–and having paid–Jakobi Meyers at last year’s NFL trade deadline. And the Browns are at the top of the list of teams hoping to plus Thomas.
Browns in Pursuit of a Brian Thomas Jr. Trade
In fact, according to Browns reporter Tony Grossi, Cleveland is actively pursuing a deal for Thomas. Grossi wrote on Tuesday morning, “(GM Andrew) Berry also is pursuing a trade for Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who is drawing interest from multiple teams, per reports.”
It was SNY’s Connor Hughes who reported that, after having rejected past entreaties on Thomas, the Jaguars are now open to considering their options for a trade.
Hughes wrote on Twitter/X: “The#Jaguars are entertaining offers for WR Brian Thomas,@snytvhas learned. 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.”
Browns Would Have to Give Up a Day 2 Pick
Of course, the question when it comes to the Browns–or any other team–making a trade for Thomas is the price. Thomas was the No. 23 overall selection just two years ago, and though he had a down 2025, the Jaguars won’t just give him away. He is still cost-controlled, making $4 million this year as part of his four-year, $15 million rookie contract.
At the same time, he is not going to draw a first-round pick.
The NFL Trade Rumors site projects: “It would seemingly take at least a Day 2 pick — possibly with another choice sprinkled in — to convince the Jags to move off a player with a 1,200-yard rookie season in his recent past. Two years remain on Thomas’ rookie contract, increasing his value. No extension talks can commence until 2027.”
GettyCarnell Tate #17 of the Ohio State Buckeyes could be a Cleveland Browns draft target at No. 6.
Brian Thomas Jr. Would Add Needed WR Talent
The Browns have been slated, too, as a team that could use one of its two first-rounders–Cleveland has No. 6 and No. 24 this year–on a wide receiver, possibly Carnell Tate out of Ohio State.
Even if the team trades for Thomas, that remains a possibility. The Browns have a woeful wide-receiver room, and are hoping that star WR1 Jerry Jeudy can bounce back after a miserable 2025. The Browns have Cedric Tillman as a reliable No. 3 receiver, but there is no question that the room needs more talent.
Thomas, if he can put 2025 behind him, would certainly add that.