The Jacksonville Jaguars have shown flashes of potential through the first three weeks of the season. One storyline that continues to surface is the development of Jaguars‘ second-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. A dynamic athlete with game-breaking speed, Thomas has been targeted 25 times so far, but only has seven receptions to show for it. That 28% catch rate lags well behind his fellow receivers, all of whom are catching at least 50% of their targets.
Drops have been the most glaring issue, negating what could have been explosive plays and killing drives that otherwise had promise. For Thomas, the challenge now is turning frustration into fuel.
Fighting Through Tough Times
After the Jaguars’ latest win, Thomas acknowledged the struggles but made it clear he remains committed to growth.
“Just got to keep fighting.” Thomas said on Sunday. “We put the work in each and every day. It’s going to pay off. We just got to get all the drops and stuff cleaned up and be better—be better for the offense.”
Thomas’s teammates and coaches have echoed the sentiment, noting that he is still adjusting to a new offensive system. While the talent is obvious, consistency is what will determine how quickly he becomes a reliable option for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Coen Demands More Precision
Head coach Liam Coen didn’t shy away from addressing the issue when asked about Thomas and the receivers as a whole. In his view, the solution comes down to the basics: focus, precision, and repetition.
“Yeah, I mean concentration, detail, all that.” Coen said Monday. “They got to get more on the jugs and get a better connection.”
Drops don’t just affect individual stats—they ripple through the offense. Lawrence’s completion percentage has taken a hit, not just from his own misfires, but from passes that should have been routine completions.
“Obviously it’s hard when, okay, you may miss a few throws, and then when you do make some, we don’t catch them. That’s frustrating for sure,” Coen admitted on Monday.
Understanding the Cause of Drops
Pinpointing the reason for drops can be tricky, but Coen believes the root lies in fundamentals and how players approach the ball.
“It’s hard for me. It’s one of those things that…the real thing that we’re trying to communicate is just not letting the ball cross our eyes regardless of where it is. Anytime you let the ball obviously into your body, there’s a chance that it could not get caught. And when we let it cross our eyes is typically where you see a lot of drops happen.”
For Thomas, that means refining his technique, attacking the ball in the air, and developing stronger hand-eye coordination through repetition.
Room for Growth
Despite the early bumps, Thomas remains a promising piece of the Jaguars’ offensive puzzle. His size, speed, and ability to stretch defenses are rare tools. Cleaning up the drops won’t just help him build confidence—it will also open up the offense for Lawrence, Travis Etienne, and the rest of Jacksonville’s playmakers.
If Thomas can turn the corner, the Jaguars’ passing game could take a significant leap. And for a team building its identity under Coen, the second-year pro development will be worth watching week after week.
Jaguars’ WR Aims to Bounce Back After Early Struggles