The Jacksonville Jaguars have made their first big splash of the 2015 offseason by agreeing to a multiyear contract with tight end Julian Thomas that's believed to be worth about $9 million per season. The move is absolutely a positive for Thomas' wallet, but will his fantasy stock survive the move down South?
Last season while catching passes from Peyton Manning Thomas had a productive year, even though it was hampered by injury. In 13 games (10 starts) he caught 45 passes for 489 yards; both of those stats were disappointing to his owners.
Thomas more than made up for the lack of receptions and yardage by tallying 12 touchdowns, the second straight year he's posted that total. He also spread the touchdowns out over seven different games, remaining a contributor week in and week out.
With Jacksonville though, Thomas might find it more difficult to score so often. The downgrade from Manning to Jags quarterback Blake Bortles is severe. Manning threw 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2014, while Bortles managed just 11 touchdowns against 17 picks.
The Jaguars have solid, young talent surrounding Thomas in the passing game but their crew pales in comparison to Broncos wide receivers Demaryius Thomas (111 receptions, 1,116 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Emmanuel Sanders (101 receptions, 1,404 yards, nine touchdowns). Thomas will be the unquestioned No. 1 target, as well as the man opposing secondaries plan to take away from Bortles.
The one plus is that if Thomas truly does belong in the elite class of tight ends he will get an opportunity to prove it with the increased targets he'll receive. Bortles has less established mouths to feed, so Thomas will be getting looks all over the field, and especially in the red zone.
Fantasy owners should continue to treat Thomas as a top tight end option--No. 3 behind Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham--but perhaps take his price down in auctions, and move him back several spots in snake formats.
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