Report: Julius Thomas to Jacksonville Jaguars is ‘just about done’
By Sam Richmond
![Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3f615c32d7aaf0ac3cc687df819288ff534e3de34ebb712072b30b719e0add0b.jpg)
The Jacksonville Jaguars are nearing an agreement with free-agent tight end Julius Thomas, according to a new report.
It appears Blake Bortles is about to get a new favorite target.
Bortles’ Jacksonville Jaguars are on the verge of signing free-agent tight end Julius Thomas, according to Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole.
Two sources indicating TE Julius Thomas is just about done/signed in Jacksonville
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) March 8, 2015
This comes on the heels of Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson reporting that Jaguars were planning to make signing the pass-catcher a priority.
The growth of Bortles is absolutely critical to the long-term success of the Jaguars, so getting him a target like Thomas makes a lot of sense. Bortles threw for 2,908 yards with just 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while Jacksonville averaged just 187.6 passing yards per game (31st in the NFL) last season.
Thomas has emerged as one of the most successful receiving tight ends in the league in recent years with the Denver Broncos. He caught 43 passes for 489 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. In 2013, he hauled in 65 passes for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns.
It will be interesting to see just how effective the tight end can be without Peyton Manning throwing him the ball. Manning has made a number of pass-catchers look better than they actually are over years, making there a decent amount of risk in signing Thomas to a lucrative contract.
But the Jaguars are desperate for a difference-maker, so it makes sense why they would be willing to take a chance on him.
The Broncos drafted Thomas in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Portland State. For his career, he’s posted 109 catches, 1,282 yards and 24 touchdowns.
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