The Jacksonville Jaguars appear to be putting the finishing touches on a remade wide receiver corps for 2024. Days after using a first-round pick on LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., the team has released former starter Zay Jonespaving the way for the rookie addition to open his NFL career as quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s top target.
Thomas, 21, was the fourth receiver drafted into what many considered a particularly rich wideout class, going 23rd overall. He’s just the latest big name to join the Jacksonville roster, after former Buffalo Bills speedster Gabe Davis signed a three-year deal with the team in free agency, essentially replacing the departed Calvin Ridley.
Thomas is expected to open 2024 in the top three of the Jaguars’ receiver rotation alongside Davis and 2022 signee Christian Kirk, who has nearly 1,900 total yards in his first two seasons with the club. Tight end Evan Engram also remains one of Lawrence’s top projected outlets in the passing game.
Jones, 29, began his career with the Buffalo Bills and spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders before becoming a surprise starter with the Jaguars in 2022. The former second-round pick has quietly set career highs in career in terms of catches (82) and yards (823). ) while scoring five touchdowns that season, demonstrating consistent chemistry with Lawrence in key situations. A knee injury, however, limited him to just eight games in 2023 and he finished with just 274 yards.
