Is a New England Patriots Brian Thomas Jr deal imminent? NFL free agency may be more of a frenzy than ever before. Just minutes into the tampering period (the NFL would like it called the negotiation period), Twitter lit up with announcements of deals agreed to. Trades have started falling into place, making room for incoming players, and talk of a huge return the Philadelphia Eagles are asking for has led the Jacksonville Jaguars to announce another receiver is up for auction.

The Patriots cut ties with their leading receiver in 2025, Stefon Diggs, in order to save $20 million towards the salary cap, and rumor had it that his replacement would be AJ Brown. The Eagles receiver has been a bit disgruntled (what diva receiver isn’t?), and it seemed like he was going to be reunited with his former head coach in Tennessee, Mike Vrabel. According to reports, the Patriots offered a first and third round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Eagles asked for a first and second.

Thomas was selected 23rd overall in the 2024 draft, and the Jaguars probably thought if the Patriots were open to dealing a first and third, they’d announce to the world that their phone lines were open. The Patriots pick 31st in April, and it’s unlikely another player with Thomas’ talent will be on the board then. The other appeal to Thomas is that he is only 23 years old and is due just north of $8 million over the next two seasons combined. That sure beats giving $35 million to a 29-year-old Brown.

What Makes A Patriots Brian Thomas Jr Trade Possible?

Thomas was a standout rookie for Jacksonville, leading the team in targets (133), receptions (87), receiving yards (1,282), and receiving touchdowns (10). So why would he be available at all, while still on his rookie deal? This is the million-dollar question, even though he did see a bit of a sophomore dip in production. Last season, he was targeted 91 times and caught 48 balls for 707 yards. He only played 14 games, and his yards per catch didn’t change from his rookie season.

The biggest issue that fans can see is an increase in dropped passes. He let seven balls slip through his hands as a rookie (5.3% of targets) and last year dropped 10 passes (11% of targets). Even a case of the drops should not be enough for a team to pass up such a young player, making near the league minimum. Especially not a year after racking up nearly 1,300 yards. So what is it that fans can’t see?

There are rumblings that Thomas doesn’t practice hard and is afraid of contact (dropping passes when he’s afraid he’s going to be hit). This may be slightly concerning, and possibly enough for the Patriots to offer just their first-round pick for him. He’s an outside receiver, and it’s unlikely Josh McDaniels will draw up plays for Thomas to go over the middle. That cures the fear of contact. Vrabel is a motivator of warriors, and if any coach can get the most out of Thomas, it’s him.

Brown is a more sure-handed receiver, but is he worth two picks in the top 60 and $35 million? The Patriots could grab Thomas for close to nothing contract-wise, and it would cost them less than Brown. The Jaguars seem to be motivated sellers, but there is blood in the water, and the sharks are circling. If New England is going to make a move, they better do it now.