The theme of Grant Udinski’s first press conference as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive coordinator is excitement. Contributing to that feeling is the opportunity to work with wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
“Excitement,” said Udinski about working with Brian Thomas Jr. “He’s one of the guys where you watch the tape and it’s hard to stay seated watching his tape.”
Thomas is coming off an exceptional rookie season, which included him finishing fourth in the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Thomas was a key part of the offense throughout the year, totaling 129 targets, and he was reliable, hauling in 67% of those passes.
In total, Thomas finished the regular season with 1,282 receiving yards–the third-most in the NFL–and he averaged 14.7 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns, according to PFF.
Obviously, that in itself is enough to get Udinski fired up about working with the second-year wide receiver–and that does. However, Udinski can also see the growth potential that Thomas still has as well.
“Just in terms of the excitement of the tools and the ability that he has and the potential there,” Udinski added. “You saw the results this year, but the potential for growth beyond this year and the different ways you can use him to attack defenses in a multitude of ways.”
With Thomas’ speed and route running ability, he’s someone who can make an impact as at all levels of the field. And with that, comes added versatility, not only in the routes he’s asked to run, but in where Thomas is asked to line up across the formation, along with being sent in motion.
This well-rounded skill can help create mismatches for Thomas to exploit, but his impact within the offense can potentially go beyond his own column in the stat sheet. With the mismatches Thomas creates and the attention he draws, that can help open up opportunities for others within the offense as well.
“I did not know he had the ability to do what he did in the slot. I didn’t probably evaluate him hard enough, but also they did a good job getting that right,” Head coach Liam Coen said.
“So to be able to put him in a slot and run lookie, run choice, run the option routes, run the middle of the field a little bit. And then also be able to throw screens to him and he’s going to go do something with it. An offense can run through that.”
As good as Thomas’ first year was, there is more out there for him, and that’s not only in terms of production, but within Coen’s offense, how he’s utilized.
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