Jacksonville Jaguars: Wide receiver free agents to consider
By Luke Sims
The Jacksonville Jaguars are always looking for ways to get better. Even though the draft is over and 2015 free agency is pretty much picked clean, there are always players looking for a job before the season starts.
We’ll be looking at some of these guys for the wide receiver position. The Jaguars were looking to add a veteran presence at the position during the offseason but have moved past that after whiffing on some of their top targets. There are a few intriguing options still left that we will cover here.
Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne (87) runs after a catch prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Reggie Wayne, wide receiver
Ah, Reggie Wayne. After torching the Jaguars for so long, it’d be nice to get the former Indianapolis Colts great onto the Jaguars roster.
Is there a spot for him? I’m not so certain.
The big gain from having a receiver like Wayne on the roster would be the veteran presence. He would bring quality leadership, teach professionalism to his fellow wideouts and teammates, and he would help the entire young Jaguars roster mature. Blake Bortles may come to rely on him as a source of advice and Wayne’s breadth of knowledge after having worked with a couple superb quarterbacks would be invaluable.
Is that worth paying the man?
Ultimately, wide receivers need to put up numbers to justify keeping them around. Wayne is two seasons removed from 100 catches and 1000 yards. His 700+ yards last year would be great for the Jaguars if he could replicate it, but there are no promises here. Wayne is aging and while he is certainly a savvy veteran, Father Time has taken his toll. After 14 years in the league, Wayne may not be the freshest legs around.
It’d be incredibly interesting to have Wayne come to the Jags, especially after Andre Johnson has left the Houston Texans for the Colts. Veteran players swapping in the division always bring a little something extra to those rivalry games. While interesting, I just don’t see this happening either. Wayne is a Colt through and through and playing for the Jaguars just may not be palatable for him.
Besides, he has other offers coming apparently, anyway.
Next: What about James Jones?