The Las Vegas Raiders have surprisingly epitomized the term "complementary football" this year, as they've started the 2026 NFL season 3-0 with an efficient offense backed by a defense that has been better than expected and always comes up in clutch moments.
What hasn't happened yet on the offensive side, though, other than Tre Tucker's big game in Week 2 and three unexpected red zone touchdowns from Cody White, is notable output from the team's wide receivers.
Certain game situations and the Week 3 return of tight end (or is he basically a receiver?) Brock Bowers hasn't helped their cause. But down the road, if the Raiders are going to keep winning games, more will be required from Tucker, Jalen Nailor and the like for Las Vegas to reach the next level.
On the other hand, Klint Kubiak's offense may not need a proverbial WR1 if Bowers is to be used like his new version of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Still, it would be nice to see more than an occasional pop-up from a Raiders wideout.
And the position is likely to be at or near the top of 2027 offseason needs. But that doesn't mean that the team can't get ahead of things and take a flyer on a player like the Jacksonville Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. if the AFC South foe is indeed shopping him.
Las Vegas Raiders could rescue Brian Thomas Jr. from a helpless situation
As a rookie in 2024, Thomas Jr. had 87 receptions for 1,282 yards (third-most in the league) and 10 touchdowns. It's worth noting that a notable chunk of that production came with Mac Jones, not Trevor Lawrence, under center, but Jacksonville appeared to have its long-term No. 1 wideout.
Then a coaching change happened, with Liam Coen coming in as the Jaguars' head man and he installed his offense. As Lawrence found his groove last year, Thomas Jr. was left behind with only 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns over 14 games. And he developed a case of the drops.
So far this season, things have been even worse for Thomas Jr. He has played less than 40% of Jacksonville's offensive snaps in two of the first three games, as rookie sixth-rounder Josh Cameron is already cutting into his playing time.
Week 3 against the New England Patriots was a low point, with Thomas Jr. recording just one catch on his lone target for eight yards. Thomas Jr. has gone from a budding star to a non-entity in the Jaguars' offense in virtually record time.
The question is: why?
Is he dealing with a lingering hidden injury? Is he rubbing people the wrong way behind the scenes? Are Coen and the offensive staff somehow ill-equipped when it comes to using him in a way that fits him?
Drops were a big issue last season, especially when he was getting so few targets overall, but he also had seven drops as a rookie. When the Jaguars have two of three tight ends on the field, Thomas Jr.'s snap share and route participation dwindle even more than otherwise.
Thomas Jr. clearly needs a change of scenery, and the Jaguars aren't hiding the idea that he could be traded by having a sixth-round rookie eat into his playing time. Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has offered five landing spots that could rejuvenate Thomas Jr.'s career, and the Raiders were included.
Kay noted how the Raiders are surprise contenders at 3-0, which has shifted them from assumed trade deadline sellers this year to being a potential buyer if things stay on the current track. Kay also, rightly, noted how there's "plenty of room" for another wide receiver to emerge in Las Vegas.
"At his best, Thomas showed he can handle a feature role thanks to a rare blend of size, speed, athleticism and catching ability. Although he hasn't consistently displayed that talent since the end of his rookie campaign, the potential for him to return to form in Klint Kubiak's offense is truly alluring.
"If the Raiders can get the 23-year-old wideout without mortgaging too much of their promising future, they shouldn't hesitate to make the move."
Frankly, the Jaguars are removing any leverage they'd have with Thomas Jr. by diminishing his role so much. No potentially interested team should have to give up much to get him, as the alternative is leaving the Jaguars to keep a player they've had no use for over the last season-plus.
There's arrogance in sticking it out with Thomas Jr. while publicly trying to say he is or will be needed; then there's sheer stupidity. The Jaguars seem to be nearing that line, and it's worth wondering if he'll ask for a trade and end any drama or misgivings.
When it comes to a buy-low opportunity to add a young, potential alpha WR to the mix, Thomas Jr. stands above everyone else. Whether a deal actually gets done or not, general manager John Spytek needs to explore what it would take to rescue Thomas Jr. from a situation he can no longer navigate.
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