Mel Kiper calls Cincinnati Bengals 'a good destination point' for Brian Thomas Jr.

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us and with it the analyzing of fit and circumstance begins. For LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr., there might just be a perfect team out there for him tonight.

That’s the opinion of ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper, who likes the potential for Thomas to go at pick No. 18 to the Cincinnati Bengals.

“I think when you look at Brian Thomas Jr. you have that LSU connection to Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase,” Kiper said on ESPN’s First Draft. “He had the one great year. No question about it. He’s a deep threat, he can track the deep ball, but he’s got to be more complete.”

Thomas’ sheer athleticism and his production during the 2023 season make him a potential first-round pick tonight. But it’s the prospect of what he could turn into with further development that’s enticing.

In 2023, Thomas racked up 68 catches for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns, a monster of a season with quarterback Jayden Daniels throwing him the ball (en route to a Heisman Trophy, no less).

“And I think when you look at the one-year wonder, which is what he was, Xavier Legette was the same way at South Carolina, but for Brian Thomas Jr. would it be a good destination point to say I’m with the Bengals?” Kiper asked. “I’m with the Bayou Bengals now, the Cincinnati Bengals, I’ve got Burrow and I’ve got Chase and I’ve got that mentality there to keep this thing going, keep this momentum for Brian Thomas Jr. going so he can keep developing into the player he has the talent to become, but he only showed it that one year and he still has some things to work on there.”

Mouthful aside, the potential the 6-foot-4 receiver brings to the table is enormous. And with Cincinnati in the market for a receiver after Tee Higgins requested a trade, Thomas could be the perfect answer.

LSU has made putting excellent receivers in the league a habit, and Brian Thomas Jr. figures to be latest in a long line of successful ones.

Even if it’s a little unclear just how quickly he’ll catch on at the next level.

“I think he’s a tough player to evaluate because of the one great year,” Kiper said. “And you can add up the first two years, they didn’t even get to where he was this season. And having Malik Nabers obviously helps him out, and Jayden Daniels as well, but his talent’s going to win out to get him in the middle of that first round. For the Bengals it would make a lot of sense.”