The Indianapolis Colts have a lot of decisions to make before they are on the clock with the No. 15 overall pick in the NFL draft, and one of them pertains to LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas is one of the favorites to be selected by the Colts at No. 15 overall, but it was reported by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated that both Thomas and fellow star wideout Malik Nabers are dealing with shoulder issues.
Those shoulder injuries may need more attention following the 2024 season, according to Breer.
Both of LSU’s star receivers, Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers, have issues with their left shoulders. The risk here is considered relatively minimal—in both cases, there’s a chance the player may have to have the shoulder surgically repaired after the 2024 season. Bryan Bresee, the Saints’ first-round pick last year, had a similar situation with his shoulder coming into the draft last year.
How much this impacts the stocks of both players remain to be seen. If they are dealing with injuries that they can play through with minimal further damage being caused, it may not impact their stocks at all.
However, the Colts are very much in the market to add an explosive talent at wide receiver in this draft. Both Thomas and Nabers fit that category, but the latter is expected to be off the board before the Colts would even be able to trade up for him if they wanted.
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Thomas is an explosive vertical threat who would be an ideal match for Michael Pittman Jr. as a Z-receiver on the opposite side of the formation. His game perfectly blends with Anthony Richardson's arm talent.
How much this injury will impact his stock remains to be seen, but it is something to monitor as Draft Week commences.
