Jacksonville Jaguars: Five Players Who Must Step Up in 2015
By Luke Sims
Aug 28, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguar wide receiver Marqise Lee (11) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Blake Bortles against the Atlanta Falcons during the 2nd quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports
Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver
There’s nothing worse than being injured and dropping into the second round of the NFL Draft after once winning a Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in college football. Lee followed up his slide in the draft with a disappointing beginning to his NFL career. Limited to just 13 games in his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars due to injury, Lee needs to prove that he can be on the field all 16 games and that he can be a threat when he is.
Lee was expected to be a dominant receiver upon his arrival in Jacksonville. Instead, he finished behind fellow rookie wide receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson. Both Hurns and Robinson look to be much improved for 2015 after proving to be a deep threat and reliable possession receiver, respectively, in their rookie campaigns. Lee flashed some big play potential after getting the ball in his hands, but he wasn’t very effective and he wasn’t consistent enough for Blake Bortles to rely on.
For fear of being surpassed by his fellow young receivers again, Lee needs to step up in 2015. He has the talent, he just needs to put it together. While it is unlikely he would be cut after just two years with the team, he could end up as the fourth or fifth receiver on a team that thought he could be their number two.
Next: Chris Clemons Must Put Forward At Least One More Productive Season