Earlier in the week, we started our depth chart projections for the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends all covered, here are our projections for the wide receivers position:
Projections to make the final 53-man roster
WR1: D.J. Chark Jr.
D.J. Chark was the most improved player on the Jags’ roster without a doubt. He also proved to be their top receiver, becoming the first receiver since Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns (2015) to garner 1,000 receiving yards.
It didn’t matter who the quarterback was, Chark shined and received a Pro Bowl nod after making highlights after highlights. The crazy part is that he’s just scratching the surface and is only 23 years old.
WR2: Chris Conley
Chris Conley was one of the Jags’ veteran additions during the 2019 free-agency period and will enter 2020 as the Jags’ most experienced receiver as a sixth-year player. He had some issues with drops in 2019 but still managed to register 47 catches for 775 yards and five touchdowns.
As a new offensive coordinator to the Jags’ organization, Conley is a player I think Jay Gruden will be more than comfortable with as the No. 2 alongside Chark. However, it wouldn’t shock me if Laviska Shenalt received a lot of looks as the No. 2, too, but health is a concern with him and he’s also extremely raw.
WR3 (slot starter): Dede Westbrook
The Jags will roll out a lot of multiple receiver sets under Gruden and one can understand why when looking at the potential they have. Gruden has also been known to get a lot of production from the slot and that became clear when looking at the success of Jamison Crowder, who registered 221 passes for 2,628 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns throughout four seasons with Gruden and the Washington Redskins.
Westbrook is just as talented as Crowder and could serve the same role for Gruden’s offense in Jacksonville. After all, it’s where he’s flourished and his 2018 season is proof of that as all five of his touchdowns came from the slot.
WR4: Laviska Shenault Jr.
He was the Jags’ second-round addition of April’s draft and they have big-time plans for him. Shenault was extremely versatile while with Colorado playing as an exterior receiver, a slot receiver, running back, H-back, and as a wildcat quarterback.
Jags coach Doug Marrone says he’s already asked Shenault what kind of load he’s willing to take as a versatile weapon and the rookie is up for the challenge. That said, look for the Jags to be creative with Shenault while working him in slowly as an exterior receiver.
WR5: Keelan Cole
Having Keelan Cole as a No. 4 to No. 5 receiver on this roster is proof that the Jags at least have depth at receiver though the results may not be completely what fans want. He’ll enter the season with 1,600 career receiving yards, a 15.4 yard per catch average, and seven touchdowns.
With the depth chart now crowded Cole may have to see a lot of time on the field through special teams. It might be even wise to consider him in a returners role to protect the receivers further up the depth chart from injuries.
WR6: Collin Johnson
Collin Johnson was the second receiver drafted by the Jags in April’s draft as the team took him in the fifth round. At 6-foot-6, 222-pounds, there is a lot to be excited about with Johnson as he gives the Jags a massive jump-ball target to help Gardner Minshew II out.
There are questions as to if Johnson will be able to separate on the next level and he’ll also need to improve with breaking/sinking into his routes. However, if there is any receivers coach who could turn him into a solid pro it’s the Jags’ own Keenan McCardell.
Young receivers who could be on the outside looking in
WR7: C.J. Board
C.J. Board made the Jags’ final 53-man roster as the team’s last receiver and will have to fight for the same spot again. In 2019, he register two receptions for 31 yards and will have to impress to stick around with the Jags drafting two rookie receivers.
WR8: Michael Walker
Michael Walker was signed off the Jags’ practice squad in November as a result of the team dealing with injuries at receiver. He participated in seven games registering two catches for 15 yards. He also registered 18 kick returns for 411 yards and had three punt returns for 13 yards.
Like Board, it will be an uphill battle for Walker to make the team, but if he proves to be a solid returner, that would help his chances.
WR9: Terry Godwin
When looking at his college career and the highlight plays he made with the University of Georgia, Terry Godwin is a sleeper to make some noise in the preseason. He signed with the team’s practice squad in September of last year after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.
Unfortunately, he was never promoted to the Jags’ main roster but re-signed with the team this offseason. If he can make the highlight plays he did while at UGA this preseason, he could earn a spot on the practice squad again, which would allow him to keep developing under McCardell.
Undrafted rookies
WR10: Josh Hammond
Josh Hammond was one of the Jags’ two undrafted receiver additions from this offseason. Coming from the University of Florida, he’s a face many fans are familiar with and he’ll have many rooting for him to catch on.
Hammond will enter his NFL career with plenty of collegiate experience after appearing in 49 games and starting in 31. He’s a long shot to make the team but landing on the practice squad may be a more achievable goal.
WR11: Marvelle Ross
At 5-foot-9, 180-pounds, it looks as though the Jags are eying undrafted rookie Marvell Ross as a slot receiver and return specialist. Coming from the Division II level (Notre Dame College), he was able to register 60 receptions for 998 yards and eight touchdowns and garnered 804 yards as a returner in 2019. Like a lot of the receivers ahead of him, he’ll be fighting for a practice squad spot as opposed to a roster spot.
