NEWSLETTER
LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. helped his stock as a first-rounder in next April’s NFL Draft with an exceptional performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Saturday.
Thomas ran an impressive 4.34 40-yard dash on Saturday, joining a record-setting nine wide receivers to run sub-4.4 40-yard dashes.
Brian Thomas Jr. NFL Scouting Combine Results
Note: All Scouting Combine results are courtesy of NFL.com
40 Yard Dash: 4.33
10 Yard Split: 1.50
Vertical: 38.50″
Broad: 10’6″
Who is LSU Wide Receiver Brian Thomas Jr.?
Brian Thomas Jr. is a good combination of size, length, and speed and has experience working both inside and outside. He can sometimes be lazy with his route-running, but he has the athleticism, bend, and speed to improve.
He is good at avoiding defenders who are pressing him and can quickly get open underneath. Still, he needs to work on his intermediate routes and play more physically when crowded to become a well-rounded player.
Thomas is reliable when it comes to generating separation deep, and he could be chosen as an NFL team’s primary deep receiver early in his career. Although he is not yet polished, he has the potential to become a top-tier WR1/2 in the future.
LSU Wide Receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Scouting Report
Thomas is a pass-catcher with a tall and tapered frame who is explosive and dangerous. He has an average of 17.3 yards per catch in 2023 and can easily cover the field on vertical routes with his sudden burst and long strides. Thomas has excellent timing on post and corner routes, which helps him throw off defensive backs and catch the ball beautifully over his shoulder. He caught the most touchdowns in the FBS in 2023, with 17.
Thomas is elusive and can juke, turn, and accelerate away from defenders after the catch. His speed is respected by opponents, which helps him have success on comebacks and hook routes. Although he was mainly used as a vertical field-tilter and wasn’t asked to run a super diverse route tree, he has the vision to make plays in space and was utilized on sweeps and end-arounds.
However, there are areas where Thomas needs improvement. He is unrefined as a route runner and sometimes shows his hands early, alerting trailing defenders to the pass. He can get caught up in the trash over the middle of the field and thrown off his routes. Thomas will need to be more disciplined in navigating traffic and avoid loafing when the play wasn’t designed to go his way, running his routes at half speed.
What the Experts Are Saying About Brian Thomas Jr.
“A former basketball recruit, Thomas has unique body movements for his size (before and after the catch), with focus and coordination to make plays above the rim. He consistently gets on top of coverage with quick acceleration, although crisper cuts and improved leverage will help him create better separation out of breaks.
“Thomas took his game to another level in 2023, posting an FBS-best 17 touchdown grabs, the most by a Power 5 receiver since DeVonta Smith (23) in 2020.”
