Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was among the fastest ball carriers in football this season.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, on Thomas’ Week 5 touchdown catch and run against the Indianapolis Colts down the right sideline, Thomas hit 22.15 mph.
Compared to all ball carriers during the 2024 NFL season, whether it be on the ground or via a passing play, Thomas’ 22.15 mph was the second-fastest mark in football.
Below is the play where Thomas recorded that speed:
BRIAN THOMAS, JR. 85-YARD TD
📺: #INDvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/bfK2p2TlaB— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
Just ahead of Thomas was Dallas’ KaVontae Turpin, who topped out at 22.36 mph.
Overall, Thomas wasn’t only a top producer among rookies, but he was one of the most productive receivers in all of football.
Thomas finished his rookie season as a featured member of the Jaguars’ offense, totaling 129 targets. He would catch 67% of those throws and averaged 14.7 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns.
The 1,282 receiving yards that Thomas had were the fourth-most among all receivers and the most among a rookie class that was loaded at the receiver position.
That speed that Thomas possesses makes him a threat at all levels of the field. He can run by defenders and provide the Jaguars’ offense with a vertical target or he can get the ball on short to intermediate routes and turn them into big plays with his yards after the catch ability.
