Brian Thomas Jr. A Top Fantasy Receiving Option Against Raiders
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is a must-start in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders. In an otherwise awful year for the Jaguars offense, BTJ has been a lone bright spot. Last week against the New York Jets, he put up a whopping 10 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns, making him one of the top fantasy receivers on the week, all with backup Mac Jones under center instead of starter Trevor Lawrence. The Raiders serve as an even easier option for fantasy receivers than the Jets, so it isn't crazy to think BTJ has the potential for a repeat performance. Even with more realistic expectations, BTJ has the upside and floor of a WR1 in Week 16 against the Raiders.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. had his best game of the season at just the right time for fantasy managers in a 32-25 loss to the New York Jets. In a surprisingly offensive affair, BTJ was one of the standouts, finishing with 10 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 14 targets. The rookie receiver was dominant from the get-go, leading the team in receiving yards and catching both of Mac Jones's passing touchdowns, one in the first quarter and one in the fourth. The most impressive part of this performance is that BTJ has all the defensive attention on him and is catching passes from a backup quarterback. BTJ will look to continue dominating despite the cards being stacked against him in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Brian Thomas Jr. A WR2 Despite Otherwise Lackluster Jags Offense
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. will look to match his Week 14 performance in Week 15 against the New York Jets. The rookie receiver finished with eight catches and 86 yards, most of which came in the fourth quarter. Given the Jaguars offense moved the ball much better when BTJ got more involved (all 10 points came in the fourth quarter) expect him to be heavily involved once more against the Jets. However, with Mac Jones still under center and struggling (zero touchdowns in three starts) and the Jets defense laser-focused on him (Evan Engram, Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk all out for the season), his upside is somewhat limited. Even with everything stacked against him though, BTJ has proven he has the talent to still produce. Fantasy managers should tentatively start BTJ as a WR2 in Week 15 against the Jets.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. started slow but finished strong in a 10-6 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The rookie receiver finished with eight receptions and 86 yards on 12 targets, nine of which came in the fourth quarter. BTJ has been boom-or-bust for a lot of the season, so it was looking like a bust game for him early on. However, he got hot late to become Mac Jones's top receiver, doubling the next most receptions on the team. Usually, BTJ has a low amount of catches but high yards per catch. However, he produced a highly productive PPR outing with a backup QB, making this performance possibly his most impressive of the season. BTJ will look to continue producing with Jones under center in Week 15 against the New York Jets.
Brian Thomas Jr. A High-Upside, Low-Floor Option In Week 14
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has the same upside that he usually does, but with Mac Jones under center, his floor is lower than usual against the Tennessee Titans. BTJ did have four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown last week against the Houston Texans, but he also had his lowest catch percentage of the season of 40 percent. The rookie isn't on as good of a page with Jones as with Trevor Lawrence, but he at least showed signs of production with Jones in Week 13. Given his big-play ability, it is hard to bench BTJ, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Jones can't find BTJ down the field and the offense struggles to move the ball, like against the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. BTJ serves as a boom-or-bust WR2 in Week 14 against the Titans.
Brian Thomas Jr. Stellar Once Again Against Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. returned to stellar form in Week 13 against the Houston Texans. He finished with 76 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. The rookie was third on the team in receptions behind Evan Engram and Parker Washington who combined for 13 catches, but was second on the team in targets and yards. BTJ was outshined by Parker Washington, but his big-play ability allowed him to still have an efficient outing. What was extra reassuring for fantasy managers is most of his stats came after Trevor Lawrence left with a concussion and Mac Jones took over, who BTJ struggled to produce with in Weeks 10 and 11. The Jaguars face the Tennessee Titans next week, where BTJ will look to continue his awesome rookie campaign.
Brian Thomas Jr. The Most Trustworthy Fantasy Option From Jaguars In Week 13
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. could get a big boost against the Houston Texans with the potential return of Trevor Lawrence in Week 13. Lawrence is currently questionable with a right shoulder injury, but if he does return, BTJ fantasy managers should be excited that the rookie receiver will have a QB who can throw the ball down the field again. The Texans serve as a good matchup for passing offenses, meaning BTJ could be in for some big plays, as he has shown capable of throughout his rookie campaign. While he has been an afterthought with Mac Jones under center, BTJ should return to former glory as a WR2 with WR1 potential. Fantasy managers in need of upside to reach the playoffs can have faith once again in BTJ in Week 13.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. hauled in 5-of-7 targets for 82 yards in the team's 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions. The rookie wideout was the only Jaguars player to record more than 28 receiving yards on a day when quarterback Mac Jones tossed for 138 yards. His target and reception total tied tight end Evan Engram for the highest marks on the team. BTJ recorded three receptions of at least 20 yards and could have had an even bigger day if a late 33-yard reception wasn't overturned. Despite the woes of the Jags' offense, the sensational 22-year-old continues to perform, though it's worth noting that he did appear to get injured on the overturned reception. Fortunately, he'll get a bye in Week 12 before a divisional clash against the Houston Texans in Week 13.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) appears ready to go ahead of the Week 11 matchup against the Detroit Lions. The rookie wideout was limited in practice all week, but it sounds like that won't stop him from suiting up. Thomas has been solid during his rookie campaign, but his fantasy value is going to take a major hit with Mac Jones under center for the Jags. Last week, Thomas hauled in two receptions for 12 yards in the loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect better results until Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) returns to the field. Thomas falls into the WR4 conversation with Jones getting the nod this weekend.
Brian Thomas Jr., Gabe Davis Limited Again On Thursday
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder) were both limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Thomas suffered a chest injury in the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots and has been limited in practice ever since, but he hasn't missed a game. Davis, meanwhile, has been on the injury report for most of the year with various ailments. Neither wideout is expected to be in danger of missing the Week 11 game at the Detroit Lions, but both Thomas' and Davis' fantasy floor will remain low for however long quarterback Mac Jones is running this offense -- Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) was ruled out for a second straight game in Week 11. Thomas has been Jacksonville's leading receiver in his first year in the NFL and is the better fantasy option, but his stock has fallen to WR3/flex value.
Brian Thomas Jr.
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