JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars welcomed first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr. on Thursday and the LSU standout receiver said it was “surprising” that he was chosen by the Jaguars.

The Jaguars traded from the 17th pick to the Minnesota Vikings for their fifth-round pick this year, 2025 third- and fourth-round picks.

Thomas arrived with his family on Thursday. He said he was “super excited” when he got the call. Plan to wear number 80.

“Just being able to share that experience with my family there… Jax is a place I can fit in,” Thomas said.

In 2023, Thomas was an AP third-team All-American, second-team All-SEC and was a semifinalist for the 2023 Biletnikoff Award. The 21-year-old from Walker, Louisiana, recorded 68 receptions for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.

He was a big part of winning the Jayden Daniels Heisman Trophy in 2023.

Thomas, a multi-sport athlete, joked that yesterday was his first time on a private jet.

“It’s a great feeling knowing I’m going to be here in Jax, it’s an amazing feeling,” Thomas said.

Coach Doug Pederson said Thomas possessed a potent deep threat and was expected to run multiple routes.

“I think the first thing you see is the speed on film,” Pederson said. “A lot of teams try to keep that in check. It’s our job as coaches to use that speed and open up that second level, those 12, 15-yard areas… that’s what we saw on tape with Brian.”

For receivers, the Jaguars added Gabe Davis from the Buffalo Bills and have Zay Jones, Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram as key targets for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

General manager Trent Baalke said Thomas was the planned pick at No. 17 and that the front office felt good about the needs of teams selecting between 17 and 22.

“We’re looking for ideal people and he’s ideal… a culture… he’s checked all the boxes,” Baalke said of Thomas.

On Day 2, the Jaguars have picks 48 and 96. They will likely target an offensive lineman or cornerback in the middle rounds.