Jaguars Trade Brian Thomas Jr. to Commanders for Premium Draft Pick

The deal sends the 2024 first-round pick to Washington in exchange for the 7th overall selection.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:18pm

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to trade wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to the Washington Commanders in exchange for the Commanders' 7th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Thomas, a 2024 first-round selection, is coming off a somewhat disappointing season but has shown the ability to be a dominant deep threat. The Commanders are looking to provide more weapons for young quarterback Jayden Daniels, and acquiring Thomas could be a major boost to their offense.

Why it matters

This trade represents a significant move for both teams as they look to improve their rosters. For the Jaguars, it's an opportunity to acquire a premium draft pick and potentially add an impact player, while the Commanders are betting on Thomas' upside to complement their star receiver Terry McLaurin. The deal also highlights the ongoing roster-building strategies of both franchises as they aim to contend in the competitive NFL landscape.

The details

The Jaguars will send Brian Thomas Jr., their 2024 first-round pick, to the Commanders in exchange for Washington's 7th overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Thomas, 24, is coming off a season in which he recorded 82 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, but also struggled with inconsistency and drops at times. The Commanders, looking to provide more weapons for young quarterback Jayden Daniels, believe Thomas' deep-threat ability and affordable contract (cap hits of $3.9 million and $4.6 million in 2026 and 2027, respectively) make him a worthwhile acquisition, even at the cost of a top-10 pick.

  • The trade was announced on April 5, 2026.

The players

Brian Thomas Jr.

A 24-year-old wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who was a first-round pick in 2024 and has shown the ability to be a dominant deep threat, though he struggled with inconsistency and drops last season.

Jayden Daniels

The starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders, who had an impressive rookie season in 2024 but was held back by injuries. The Commanders are looking to provide him with more weapons to help him reach his full potential.

Terry McLaurin

The star wide receiver for the Washington Commanders, who will now have a new complement in Brian Thomas Jr. to draw coverage away and open up the offense.

David Blough

The new offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, who will be tasked with maximizing the potential of the team's offense, including the addition of Brian Thomas Jr.

Kliff Kingsbury

The former offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, who left the team earlier this year, leaving a void that the Commanders are now looking to fill with the acquisition of Brian Thomas Jr.

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What they’re saying

“Now the Commanders are in the midst of a pivotal offseason as Jayden Daniels prepares for Year 3 of his professional career. The team has multiple needs on both sides of the ball—including a wide receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report Writer

“Having a player of Thomas' caliber drawing coverage away from other targets would make things substantially easier for him and Daniels.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

The Jaguars will now have the 7th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which they can use to address other needs on their roster. The Commanders, meanwhile, will look to integrate Brian Thomas Jr. into their offense and hope he can provide a boost to their passing attack alongside Terry McLaurin.

The takeaway

This trade represents a calculated risk for both teams, with the Jaguars prioritizing draft capital and the Commanders betting on Brian Thomas Jr.'s potential to elevate their offense. The success of the deal will ultimately depend on how Thomas performs in Washington and how the Jaguars utilize the 7th overall pick, but it's a high-stakes move that could have significant implications for both franchises.