(05-13-2024, 12:05 PM)cland Wrote:

(05-13-2024, 11:47 AM)Caldrac Wrote: I have high expectations for him right off the bat. Especially inside the redzone. It averages out to 4 - 5 catches per game and 60 yards per game over a 17 game season. I am factoring in some high's and low's with him as a rookie. 

He'll probably be the type that goes 2 - 29, 3 - 43, 1 - 35 and 1 TD and then explodes and gets red hot in one game for 8 - 130 and 2 TD's. Which is perfectly fine, normal and par for the course for most rookie WR's that have high expectations. 

Genuinely excited about this kid though. Been on this bandwagon since November or December of last year. Should be one of the more athletically gifted receivers since we had Justin Blackmon and Matt Jones here. With him having better character than those two and more of a natural at it than Jones. 

Just watch his highlight reels. I cannot get over how good his footwork is coming out of LSU.

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I think his speed will be a factor for sure with the TD's earlier on, but, as teams catch on they'll start covering the deep portion of the field on his side which should open up the underneath game for Kirk and Co. 

I think where he's going to shine early though, is, along the boundary, working the sideline tight and using his feet and size to box defenders out of his catching radius. He really has a good understanding of his footwork and his ability to actually track the football is underrated to his game.

I always think that red-zone WRs have to have not only height, but strength and a large catch radius to out duel opposing coverage.  How do your rate his ability there?

Highly. He tends to separate with relative ease at the top of his routes on longer developing routes, but, in these highlights below you'll see what I like about him. He'll box out, go up and get it within contested traffic as well once the field begins to shorten towards the endzone. 

He nabbed 17 TD's last year and more than half of them were what I would consider NFL caliber worthy grabs. Meaning, he tracks the ball, wins in tight coverage, maintains balance, and, most importantly, keeps two feet in or toes in. 

LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. 2023 Highlights ? ᴴᴰ (youtube.com)

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