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Fantasy football dynasty watch: Brian Thomas Jr. makes a loud statement

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Why Brian Thomas Jr.'s big day vs. the Jets was so impressive (0:37)

Liz Loza breaks down the huge outing by Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr., who notched the best fantasy game vs. the Jets' defense over the last three seasons. (0:37)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. delivered a career-high 32.5 fantasy points in his team's loss to the New York Jets, finding the end zone twice on 14 targets.

It was the first multi-touchdown game of his career, and he now owns the Jaguars' rookie records for most receiving touchdowns and receiving yards in a season.

In an otherwise forgettable season for Jacksonville, the impressive rookie receiver out of LSU is a major bright spot that the Jaguars -- and fantasy managers -- can build around for years to come. Thomas has emerged as a star.

In fact, an argument could be made that he has been the best rookie wide receiver in the league this year -- better than Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze.

Where he's really been unstoppable as a rookie is against man coverage. Defensive backs just haven't had an answer for him this season. Looking ahead to next season, Thomas' dynasty outlook is sky high. While Harrison, Nabers, Odunze and Xavier Worthy may have been drafted ahead of him in most leagues this season, Thomas is proving he could belong at the top of that class.


Other rookie notes to know from Week 15

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Why Malik Nabers should be left in fantasy lineups

Eric Karabell breaks down Malik Nabers' successful rookie season in fantasy.

  • Malik Nabers has posted four-plus receptions in all 12 games this season, the second-longest streak in the league. He has also seen 10-plus targets in nine of those games, with five games hitting 13 or more. That's the most since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2004.

  • Jayden Daniels had his sixth game this season with multiple passing TDs, which is the most by a rookie in franchise history. It was also his fourth game with 15-plus passes and an 80% completion rate, tied for the second most such games in a single season in league history.

  • Xavier Worthy posted 19.6 fantasy points against the Browns on Sunday, his second-best performance of the season. More importantly, he recorded a season-high nine touches.

  • Jalen Coker, who missed the last three games with a quadriceps injury, had an 83-yard touchdown late in the first half. It is the longest Panthers touchdown of any kind since Week 5 of 2019 against Jacksonville.


Rookie dynasty rankings

Quarterback
1. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
2. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
3. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
4. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
5. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
6. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

Running back
1. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
3. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
4. Braelon Allen, New York Jets
5. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
6. Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
7. Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
8. Audric Estime, Denver Broncos
9. Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
10. Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
11. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
12. Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
13. Isaiah Davis, New York Jets
14. Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs
15. Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles
16. Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders
17. Rasheen Ali, Baltimore Ravens
18. Frank Gore Jr., Buffalo Bills
19. Keilan Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

Wide receiver
1. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
2. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
4. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
5. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
6. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
7. Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
8. Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
9. Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts
10. Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
11. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
12. Ja'Lynn Polk, New England Patriots
13. Devaughn Vele, Denver Broncos
14. Luke McCaffrey, Washington Commanders
15. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers
16. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
17. Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
18. Javon Baker, New England Patriots
19. Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins
20. Malachi Corley, New York Jets

Tight end
1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
2. Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders
3. Theo Johnson, New York Giants
4. Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers