Brian Thomas
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Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport proposed the Los Angeles Rams trade for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The Los Angeles Rams appear to be going all-in for the 2026 NFL season. That makes a lot of sense given that MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford will enter the campaign at 38 years old. Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport proposed the ultimate all-in move for the Rams offense to begin this week — trade for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
In Davenport’s proposal, the Rams sent the No. 13 overall pick, a 2026 third-rounder and 2027 fourth-round selection to Jacksonville for Thomas and a 2026 fourth-round choice.
The trade pitch would give the Rams playmakers Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Thomas at wide receiver next season.
“Yes, the Rams already have a formidable duo of wide receivers in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. But it has been a bumpy offseason for Nacua off the field, and Adams is 33 and missed three games last year,” wrote Davenport.
“Adding Thomas to the wideout corps in Los Angeles would give the Rams a terrifying trio of pass-catchers in the short-term and a potential replacement for Adams in the long-term—one the Rams don’t necessarily need to cut a fat check to for some time.”
Thomas burst onto the scene with 87 catches, 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2024. Behind those statistics, he made the Pro Bowl.
But under new head coach Liam Coen, Thomas had just 48 catches for 707 yards and two scores in 2025. Due to the drop in production, pundits have speculated about Thomas being a trade candidate this offseason.
How Brian Thomas Jr. Could Fit With Rams
Brian Thomas
GettyBleacher Report’s Gary Davenport proposed the Los Angeles Rams trade for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Even with Thomas coming off his “sophomore slump,” the idea of the Rams acquiring the 23-year-old wideout is an absolute load-up move.
Last season, Nacua and Adams combined for 189 catches, 2,504 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. With Thomas, the Rams new trio could post record numbers for a receiving corps if the team throws the ball often enough.
Davenport argued the Rams as a potential trade destination because of the familiarity Rams general manager Les Snead has with the Jaguars front office.
“Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead has been known to work with former proteges on blockbuster trades in the past. Back in 2021, the first transaction that Detroit Lions GM (and former Rams Director of college scouting) Brad Holmes made was to send quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Rams for Jared Goff and a package that included two first-round picks,” wrote Davenport.
“That trade helped propel the Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI. Now, former Rams Director of scouting strategy James Gladstone is the general manager in Jacksonville. And a trade for Thomas could lead to a win in Super Bowl LXI.”
If the Rams acquired Thomas, the biggest question would be how Los Angeles would divide the receiver snaps.
To get Nacua, Adams and Thomas all enough playing time, the Rams could use more 3-wide receiver sets. But one of those receivers would have to play in the slot.
That would probably fall on Nacua. Of the three, he has the most experience lining up in that spot. But even Nacua only played in the slot 36.1% of the time last season.
Are the Jaguars Willing to Trade Thomas?
From a schematic perspective, Thomas landing with the Rams isn’t necessarily the perfect acquisition. But it’s first worth wondering if Los Angeles would even have the opportunity to acquire the 23-year-old.
Jaguars general manager James Gladstone made rather clear he is not interested in dealing Thomas this offseason.
“I know the word ‘reputable’ came up earlier [in a previous question]. I don’t think there’s been any reputable statement [that the Jaguars were shopping Thomas],” Gladstone told reporters early in NFL free agency. “We don’t have any real action on any of those fronts. And you think back to where we landed at the end of the season, where our passing attack was, we have no interest in disrupting the momentum.
“We look forward to continuing to build off of where we left things and know that Brian Thomas is a big piece to that puzzle and we don’t want that disrupted at any time.”
The Thomas trade rumors, though, are not going away. An NFL executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando that Thomas could be moved in a draft day trade if teams miss on their top 2026 receiver target.
Thomas getting traded this offseason is probably a long shot. But if he’s available, pundits can’t rule out the Rams as a landing spot should the organization decide to pursue him.