Dolphins Prospect Profile of LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr

Relative Athleticism Score (RAS)

RAS has been around since 1987 and is a fun way to analyze a prospect’s athletic ability. Kent Lee Platte of Pro Football Network created it, and it’s an interesting addition to player scouting. Thomas had a 9.97/10 RAS score which is the 10th best at the position out of 3,063 since the stat was created. His 4.33 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine was second among receivers in this year’s class.

Quality over Quantity

As referenced above, Tagovailoa desperately needs another viable target outside of Hill and Waddle. One who could strike fear in the minds of opposing defensive coordinators. Especially in the red zone, the Dolphins need a tall target close to the goal line. Thomas’ height and his ability to release off the line of scrimmage could make him a scoring threat even if he is thrown at minimally as a rookie or second-year pro. Thomas had 17 touchdowns last season for LSU and scored every four receptions. That’s an uncanny efficiency rate for generating points. An even more eye-opening stat; when targeted last season as a Junior, the quarterback had a ridiculous rating of 148.8.

Thomas can run every route in the book and has fantastic straight-line speed. Mix this with excellent over-the-shoulder ball-tracking skills, and he could be a threat deep, just like Hill and Waddle. Speed, size, and SEC pedigree make for a perfect fit for any offense, but to think short and long-term, if you are Miami, the pick makes sense. A first-round drafted receiver with at least five potential years of team control could seamlessly transition when Waddle is the lead receiver in a duo and Hill’s time in Miami is up. Should a Waddle extension happen soon, as it should, he and Thomas could still keep a “dynamic duo” aspect in South Florida in the near future.