Meets with Texans and Impresses at Combine: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Brian Thomas Jr. of LSU possesses both, and in the next sixty days, he might be playing in the AFC South. And it’s true that the Houston Texans are among his potential landing teams in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. At the scouting combine on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, Thomas, who assisted Jayden Daniels in becoming the second LSU quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy in five games, was dominant. His 40-second time of 4.33 was the second-fastest of the afternoon, only surpassed by Xavier Worthy of Texas. Worthy fulfilled his prediction to race in the 4.2s and finished with a 4.21, shattering John Ross’s 4.22 record from 2017. In addition, Thomas had a 38.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump.
Vertical speed is one thing, but players need to play quickly to stay in the league. Naturally, Thomas possesses both. Thomas was the second-fastest receiver at the event, clocking in at 22.91 miles per hour during the gauntlet passing drill, according to Next Gen Stats. With 17 touchdown catches in the previous season, Thomas led the country.
Against fellow first-round pick Malik Nabers, he averaged 17.8 yards per reception over 68 catches for 1,117 yards. Regarding his play style and game on Friday, Thomas said, “I would say just being able to pick up on coverages, decipher what coverage the defense is in, and picking up on things fast, picking up on plays and stuff.” Although Thomas might still be available, the Texans are aware that Nabers will be selected before the No. 23 pick.
The 6-4, 209-pound target visited with Houston for a formal interview in Indianapolis, which Thomas deemed to be “extremely positive.” Thomas commented, “It’s great to be in the room with them.” We spoke a great deal of football, as well as our time at LSU and how they got to know me.
Which receiver will Houston be paying this offseason? It’s difficult to land a big-name player on a long-term contract when Houston is just starting to extend breakout sensation Nico Collins.
The Texans could add players like Kendrick Bourne, Tyler Boyd, and Curtis Samuel, among others, but such players would be more like rental additions than core players. Thomas fills a void inside the slot as well as outside of it. He’s also quite special in space and after contact. 886 of his 1,117 yards came after first contact. Newcomers C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., and Derek Stingley Jr. show that Texans general manager Nick Caserio appears to prefer players who attended elite college programs in the first round because it is easier to project their transition. Thomas claimed that facing Stingely during fall camp contributed to some of his early success in Baton Rouge. When asked about an inspiration for his style of play, Thomas mentioned Tee Higgins, a player that many Texans fans had hoped Houston would acquire in a trade last summer. Along with Worthy, Troy Franklin of Oregon and Keon Coleman of Florida State, Houston, which holds the No. 23 choice in the NBA, also had meetings with these players.
Leave a Reply