The Jacksonville Jaguars’ passing attack could be poised for a significant leap forward in 2025, and Brian Thomas Jr. sits at the center of that potential transformation. Let’s examine why fantasy managers are rushing to acquire Thomas in their offseason trades.
New Head Coach Liam Coen Brings Proven Offensive Success
With nearly 1,000 successful fantasy trades involving the second-year receiver since June, Thomas has emerged as the seventh most coveted player in recent deals, with 52.9% of those transactions seeing him acquired rather than traded away, according to PFSN trade analyzer data.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism around Thomas Jr.’s upcoming season is the arrival of Liam Coen as Jacksonville’s head coach, who will call plays in his first season.
Coen’s track record as offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024 speaks volumes about his ability to maximize offensive efficiency, particularly in crucial down-and-distance situations. Overall, Tampa Bay had the league’s No. 4 scoring offense (29.5 points per game) and No. 3 total offense (399.6 yards per game).
Under Coen’s guidance, the Buccaneers led the NFL in third-down conversion rate at an impressive 51.1%. This stands in stark contrast to Jacksonville’s struggles in the same area, where they ranked 22nd with a conversion rate of just 37.3%. The 13.8 percentage point gap between these two offenses highlights the potential impact Coen could have on the Jaguars’ ability to sustain drives and create more scoring opportunities.
For Thomas, this improvement in third-down efficiency could translate directly into increased target volume and red zone opportunities.
Third down situations often favor receivers who can find soft spots in coverage and provide reliable hands for their quarterback, skills that Thomas demonstrated throughout his rookie season.
Coen’s system in Tampa Bay emphasized getting the ball to playmakers in space and creating mismatches through formation and personnel groupings. Thomas’ skill set aligns perfectly with this approach, particularly his ability to create separation at the line of scrimmage and make contested catches in traffic.
Red Zone Prowess Sets Foundation for Growth
Thomas’ rookie season production in high-value scoring areas provides a solid foundation for fantasy greatness. He earned an endzone target or scored a touchdown in 11 of 17 games in 2024, demonstrating not only his own ability to convert opportunities into fantasy points, but also that he has the trust of his quarterbacks in high-pressure situations.
Plus, if Coen is able to bring over his third down success rate from Tampa Bay to Jacksonville, it will likely create more red zone drives and additional scoring opportunities for Thomas.
Furthermore, red zone targets tend to be more predictable than overall target distribution, making Thomas a potentially safer fantasy option than receivers who rely primarily on volume in less valuable field positions. His ability to find the end zone in nearly two-thirds of his games as a rookie suggests this trend could continue with improved offensive coordination.
Health and Opportunity Alignment
The phrase “simply staying on the field” in relation to Thomas’ potential stock boost underscores a critical factor in his fantasy outlook. Availability has always been the most important ability in fantasy football, and Thomas’ durability will be crucial to realizing his upside potential.
Coen’s offensive system typically features multiple receiver sets and emphasizes getting various pass catchers involved throughout the game. This approach could actually help preserve Thomas’ health by distributing the physical demands of the position while still maintaining his target share in key situations.
The timing of Coen’s arrival also coincides perfectly with Thomas’ natural development curve. Second-year receivers often make significant statistical jumps as they become more comfortable with NFL defensive schemes and develop better chemistry with their quarterbacks.
Combined with an improved offensive system, Thomas appears positioned for a breakout campaign. Fantasy managers who acquired Thomas in recent trades clearly recognize this convergence of factors.
Thomas’ ranking as a first-round pick in redraft leagues, and his inclusion in nearly 1,000 successful trades since June, with most involving him being acquired, reflects strong confidence in his 2025 outlook.
The combination of proven red zone involvement, an improved offensive strategy with Coen’s arrival, and natural sophomore development creates a compelling case for Thomas to exceed his rookie production significantly.
