Davenport’s reasoning centers more on fit than talent. He suggested the Patriots could use an upgrade at the No. 2 wideout position opposite A.J. Brown, but questioned whether there would be enough opportunities for Thomas to thrive in that role. This concern comes as New England has invested heavily to upgrade weapons around Maye, raising questions about how a change of scenery would play out for Thomas.
Thomas has become a name to watch as the NFL trade deadline approaches, due in part to a notable drop in his role with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Thomas Jr.’s Jaguars Role Has Collapsed
The contrast between Thomas’s rookie season and his 2026 campaign is striking. After posting 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, earning a Pro Bowl nod and setting Jaguars rookie records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, his production has declined since.
In 2025, he finished with 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games. Through Jacksonville’s first five games of the current season, he has only nine receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown. He was held without a catch in Week 5 against Philadelphia and managed just one reception for eight yards in a win over New England on Sept. 27.
Davenport noted that Thomas has fallen behind Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers in Jacksonville’s receiver depth chart, while reaching a 60% offensive snap share only once in the first five games. A change of scenery could be appealing on paper, but there are concerns about fit with the Patriots.
Brown Return Complicates Potential Patriots Trade
The Patriots have managed without Brown, who was sidelined by an ankle injury in Week 1 but returned to practice this week. He was a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday. His status for the Week 6 matchup with the New York Jets remained uncertain as of Thursday.
When Brown returns, targets in the passing game are expected to be more scarce. Maye has spread the ball around effectively in Brown’s absence. Through five games, five Patriots have at least nine receptions, and six players have accumulated at least 98 receiving yards. Mack Hollins leads the team with 15 receptions for 209 yards, while Romeo Doubs has 219 receiving yards and two touchdowns, according to the Patriots’ official statistics.
While having multiple capable receivers is not a problem in itself, adding Thomas would likely require significant draft capital for a 24-year-old former first-round pick on his rookie contract. New England would then have to decide whether acquiring a potentially pricey receiver with a less impressive recent history is necessary with Brown back in the lineup.
In the end, Thomas has shown what he can do when featured. Trading for him to make him a secondary option would mirror the situation Bleacher Report cautioned about, suggesting the Patriots should steer clear of a move that might not maximize Thomas’s potential.
If you’d like more analysis on this topic or updates as trade talks develop, I can summarize the latest insights and provide a concise outlook.
