The undrafted rookie terrorized Tampa Bay with 2.5 sacks, likely cementing his roster spot in Jacksonville's defensive masterpiece.
The Jacksonville Jaguars entered Friday's preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with several players looking to make statements proving they deserve a spot on the 53-man roster.
Nobody spoke louder than undrafted rookie defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr.
Jacksonville's defense was fantastic in the team's 19-0 shutout victory over Tampa, holding the Bucs' offense to only 87 total yards and six first downs all night. The Jaguars also recorded five sacks, recovered a fumbled snap, and allowed their opponent to run only a single play in Jacksonville territory: a nine-yard, game-ending run after the offense failed to convert a fourth down from its own 42 with under a minute left.
In a game full of defensive standouts, nobody impressed more or improved their chance at making the team more than Thomas.
Finishing Touches On Terrific Preseason
With his showing Friday night, Thomas put the finishing touches on his terrific preseason.
The undrafted rookie from South Carolina had already notched a sack this preseason. He added another 2.5 against Tampa, almost certainly earning his spot on the 53-man roster. Thomas had five total tackles, four QB hits, and even knocked down a pass for good measure.
The Jaguars are hoping to find complementary pass rushers behind star edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. They may have found a good one in Bryan Thomas Jr.
Making A Name For Himself
Bryan Thomas Jr. signed with Jacksonville after going undrafted. At first, he appeared to be a typo. If anyone typed his name into a search engine, they would often be met with a "Did you mean Brian Thomas Jr.?" response.
Sharing the same name (almost) with a star wide receiver, let alone one on the same team, could have made it difficult for the rookie to make a name for himself. Over the course of the three preseason games, Bryan, not Brian, has made it impossible to confuse the two.
If you still need help separating them, Bryan is the one consistently bringing the opposing quarterback to the ground, a quality that will likely always earn a roster spot on any NFL team.
For a team that only registered 32 sacks last season, uncovering a hidden gem of a pass rusher like Thomas could be a God-send for the Jaguars defense.
Final Thoughts
Bryan Thomas Jr. should be able to get a little extra sleep tonight, knowing that his performance against the Buccaneers likely cemented his spot on the team. If the Jaguars make the shocking decision to cut him before Sunday's 6:00 PM deadline, he will probably be one of the most sought-after players on the waiver wire.
However, the chances of that happening, as Muhammad Ali would say, are "slim and none. And slim just left town."
