JACKSONVILLE – He's already good, and he's improving rapidly.
Of the many ways to describe Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.'s rookie season, that may be the most notable – and the most important.
He's not close to his potential, but he's getting closer fast.
"That's something that has been cool to see throughout the course of the year," Press Taylor said Thursday.
Taylor, the Jaguars' third-year offensive coordinator, spoke Thursday as the Jaguars (4-12) prepared to play the Indianapolis Colts (7-9) in the 2024 regular-season finale at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis – the final game in what by any measure has been a remarkable rookie season for the No. 23 overall selection in the '24 draft.
Taylor reiterated what he has said about Thomas in recent weeks – that his high-end football intelligence and work ethic figures to lead to Thomas continuing to improve on a record-setting start to his career.
"He's a very smart kid," Taylor said. "We've known that since the day we got him, that he's an intelligent kid and can carry it from the classroom to the practice field and from the practice field to the game."
Thomas on Thursday was named a first alternate to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, with Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals, Zay Flowers of the Baltimore Ravens, Nico Collins of the Houston Texans and Jerry Jeudy of the Cleveland Browns making the AFC roster at receiver.
"I wish for him he would have made it as one of the original guys," Taylor said.
Thomas this season has set Jaguars rookie records for single-season receptions (80), receiving yards (1,179) and receiving touchdowns (10) – with Taylor on Thursday discussing Thomas' ability to handle double coverage and defenses focusing on him as the season has continued.
Thomas' targets have increased dramatically as the season has continued, with three of the Jaguar's top four receivers – wide receiver Christian Kirk, wide receiver Gabe Davis and tight end Evan Engram – out for the season with injuries.
"He's done a great job, regardless of the coverage they have put out there and the situation," Taylor said. "He's able to move around. I think that's the big part. We can put him inside outside. He's a single receiver and part of a three-receiver set one, two or three. There are different things you do to move a guy around.
"We wouldn't do that if he couldn't handle it. It's a way to do move him away from coverage."
Added Taylor, "He's been extremely impressive. He's exceeded our expectations and the sky's the limit for him. It's going to be awesome to see him play."
QUOTABLE
- Taylor on second-year right tackle Anton Harrison: "Anton has taken that step you expect to see from a first-year player to a second-year player. There's no longer that rookie wall. You understand that when Thanksgiving hits, we have a long way to go. That's very different for a lot of young players, being able to push through that. He was exposed to that his first year. For Anton, it's being as healthy as possible and being able to get an offseason under his belt and being able to hone in on a lot of things and master his craft."
QUOTABLE
- Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen: "We've got a great staff. I appreciate those guys through the whole season, through the ups and downs and everything. We've learned a lot, for sure. You learn so many things because it's such a long season and each week presents its own challenges. You try to take some things from every week, 'Either we won't do that again,' or, 'We'll do that again.' Our guys, our staff … they're studs. They've stayed the course, continued to coach and teach throughout the season. I appreciate all of them. I really do."
NOTABLE
- Jaguars safety Darnell Savage practiced full Thursday after being limited with a concussion Wednesday; he missed a victory over the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday. Left tackle Walker Little missed a second consecutive practice Thursday with an ankle injury that kept him out of the Titans victory, with Head Coach Doug Pederson saying last week Little is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. Jaguars players practicing limited for a second consecutive day Thursday:
- Left guard Ezra Cleveland (knee)
- Linebacker Ventrell Miller (ankle)
- Right guard Brandon Scherff (knee/shoulder)
Last full practice week of the 2024 regular season. 🏈 Check out practice photos from the Miller Electric Center as the Jaguars prepare to head to Indianapolis for the Colts game in Week 18!
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive linemen Javon Foster (62) and Mitch Morse (65) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive line coach/run game coordinator Phil Rauscher and offensive lineman Javon Foster (62) and during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) and defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo (90) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Myles Gaskin (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) and running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Wolford (18) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) and quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Caleb Johnson (57) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma (48) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive linemen Tyler Shatley (69), Luke Fortner (79), Cole Van Lanen (70) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) and safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland (76) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) and safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) and safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
