Top Brian Thomas Jr. Trade Packages Amid 2025 NFL Trade Deadline Rumors

Trade rumors are swirling as we approach the NFL's November 4 trade deadline. Over the weekend, a big name was dropped into the rumor mill.

On Saturday, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported the Jacksonville Jaguars are "listening" to trade calls on second-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr., even if a deal feels "highly unlikely."

Jaguars coach Liam Coen told reporters on Monday the team has "no plans" to move the 23-year-old, but plans in the NFL change all the time.

Thomas was a rookie Pro Bowler in 2024 who racked up 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. While the Jags might not be eager to move him, a strong offer should get their attention.

Let's examine the most logical landing spots for Thomas, along with trade packages that would make sense for all parties.

Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills Receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars Receive: WR Elijah Moore, Conditional 2026 2nd-Round Pick

Why Buffalo Does It

The Buffalo Bills are 5-2 and have the league's fourth-ranked scoring offense. However, they're still trailing the New England Patriots in the AFC East, and quarterback Josh Allen lacks a true game-changing, go-to receiver.

While Thomas hasn't been that sort of pass-catcher during his sophomore campaign—he's caught 27 passes for 365 yards and one touchdown—he showed that sort of ceiling as a rookie.

In theory, adding Thomas would transform a very good offense into a great one. If the Bills believe that's enough to make them a championship team, now is the time to capitalize. Targeting Thomas would make even more sense than last year's deadline deal for Amari Cooper.

Why Jacksonville Does It

The Jaguars have seen Thomas' ceiling. The idea that they're willing to move the LSU product with more than three years left on his rookie contract suggests that there's something more at play than just his on-field performance.

Perhaps Thomas simply isn't a great fit for Liam Coen's offense. He provided a passer rating of 106.2 when targeted last season but is providing a rating of only 69.1 this season. Whatever the reason, Jacksonville is open to moving him but will want a quality return.

The Jags can't expect to simply recoup the first-round pick they invested in Thomas, given his early struggles this season.

With Buffalo likely to pick low in the draft order, a conditional second-round pick that can become a first if, say, Thomas regains form and returns to the Pro Bowl would be logical. Elijah Moore, who will be a free agent in 2026, could help Jacksonville replace Thomas in the lineup on a short-term basis.

Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry

Cleveland Browns Receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars Receive: 2026 2nd-Round Pick

Why Cleveland Does It

The 2-6 Cleveland Browns aren't going anywhere this season and would seem like logical sellers at the trade deadline. However, Cleveland is clearly playing for the future and, to that end, is interested in picking up players who can contribute long-term.

Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot recently told 92.3 The Fan that the Browns will look to add players "they can have over a number of years" at the deadline.

The Browns need to upgrade their receiving corps if they're going to accurately evaluate rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders this season. They could also use a receiver with Thomas' upside if they plan to get their quarterback of the future in the 2026 NFL draft.

Why Jacksonville Does It

Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone already appears to have Browns GM Andrew Berry on speed dial. The two franchises have already executed two blockbuster trades since Gladstone was hired—the draft-day deal that sent Travis Hunter to Jacksonville and the Greg Newsome II and Tyson Campbell swap.

Of course, doing this trade would be about getting a strong return, not about familiarity. Cleveland is probably the worst team that would be willing to make a realistic offer for Thomas before next week's deadline.

The Browns own Jacksonville's first-round pick because of the Hunter trade, and they're not giving that back. However, Cleveland's second-round selection could easily be a top-five pick, which would give the Jags a chance to move into Round 1 next April.

New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

New England Patriots LB Marte Mapu

New England Patriots Receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars Receive: LB Marte Mapu, Conditional 2026 2nd-Round Pick

Why New England Does It

Though the Patriots seemed to have one of the league's worst receiving corps a year ago, their offense has been perfectly functional this season. The arrival of head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels—along with the addition of wideout Stefon Diggs—has helped quarterback Drake Maye reach an MVP level of play.

In other words, New England shouldn't be desperate to add a receiver.

However, the Patriots could use a young receiver who can grow alongside Maye for the foreseeable future—Diggs will turn 32 in November. They could also use any edge they can get to stay ahead of the Bills in the AFC East.

Preventing Thomas from landing in Buffalo might be reason enough for New England to make an offer.

Why Jacksonville Does It

Again, Jacksonville can only expect a first-round pick for Thomas if he returns to Pro Bowl form, so a conditional second-rounder would make sense in a deal with New England. The Patriots, though, could sweeten the deal by including linebacker Marte Mapu.

A 2023 third-round pick and converted safety, Mapu has shown flashes, especially in coverage. However, he's seen his playing time drop this season and has been on the field for just 13 percent of the defensive snaps.

Mapu could benefit from a change of scenery. The Jaguars, according to Russini, are "shopping for defense."

Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers Receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars Receive: 2026 3rd-Round Pick, 2026 3rd-Round Pick (from Dallas Cowboys)

Why Pittsburgh Does It

With the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals both banged-up, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a prime opportunity to steal the AFC North this season—but they're letting it slip away.

Aaron Rodgers is playing well enough that Pittsburgh should probably be running away with the division. However, the Steelers have fielded an inconsistent defense, and they haven't been potent enough offensively to counter it.

During back-to-back losses to the Bengals and Green Bay Packers, it became evident that the Steelers can't keep relying on three-tight-end sets and hope to keep pace with good offensive teams.

Pittsburgh needs another wideout and has been "making calls" about receivers, according to Russini.

Why Jacksonville Does It

The Steelers may not be willing to part with any defensive players, given the state of their 30th-ranked defense—and the Jags may not want anyone Pittsburgh might realistically offer. However, a pair of third-round picks could give Jacksonville the capital to make additional trades.

Pittsburgh has the Dallas Cowboys' third-round pick in 2026 due to the George Pickens trade. It could send both to Jacksonville for Thomas in lieu of what is likely to be a late second-round selection.

The Jaguars could then flip one third-rounder for a defensive player while pocketing the other to use in the spring.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Chris Braswell

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars Receive: LB Chris Braswell, 2026 2nd-Round Pick

Why Tampa Bay Does It

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the pieces needed to contend in the NFC this season. However, their last couple of games have exposed how injuries at the receiver position are becoming a problem.

Chris Godwin is still sidelined with a fibula injury, while Mike Evans is on injured reserve with a broken collarbone. Tampa struggled to keep pace during its Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions, and it didn't get a ton going through the air during Sunday's win over the New Orleans Saints.

Baker Mayfield has also seemed either off or at less than 100 percent over the last two weeks, but adding a receiver like Thomas might be just the thing to get him back into Pro Bowl form.

Why Jacksonville Does It

To be fair, the Buccaneers and Jaguars may not be eager to cooperate on a trade, after Coen verbally agreed to an extension as Tampa's offensive coordinator before flipping and taking the Jacksonville job anyway. Hypothetically, though this deal could net the Jags a decent draft return and a defensive player with whom Coen should be familiar.

The Buccaneers drafted linebacker Chris Braswell in the second round of the 2024 draft but have had trouble getting him onto the field consistently. The Alabama product played just 30 percent of the defensive snaps as a rookie and is playing 24 percent of the snaps this season.

This trade would net Jacksonville a young defender with upside while sending Thomas outside of the conference.

Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Washington Commanders CB Jonathan Jones

Washington Commanders Receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars Receive: CB Jonathan Jones, 2026 3rd-Round Pick, 2027 2nd-Round Pick

Why Washington Does It

The Washington Commanders came within a game of reaching the Super Bowl last season, but they've taken a step back this season for a couple of reasons. Injuries to quarterback Jayden Daniels and to receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel have had a significant impact.

While McLaurin and Samuel are both expected to play on Monday night, Washington should be interested in adding receiver help. It could use a playmaking third receiver anyway, and it could use a young wideout who can be Daniels' No. 1 target for the long-term.

With all due respect to Luke McCaffrey, the Commanders don't have one of those on their roster. McLaurin is 30, and Samuel will turn 30 in January.

Why Jacksonville Does It

The Commanders don't have a second-round pick because of their offseason deal for Laremy Tunsil. However, a pair of third-rounders—one in 2026 and one in 2027—could give Jacksonville flexibility on the trade market and in the draft.

This deal would also net the Jaguars a seasoned cornerback in Jonathan Jones. While Jones is 32 and was recently activated off injured reserve (hamstring), he has 71 career starts on his resume.

Jones hasn't played a big role in Washington this season (17 percent of the defensive snaps when active), but he could provide depth and leadership to Jacksonville's 27th-ranked pass defense.

*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference