Rashad Greene: Ready to Pounce
Remember that person in high school who came back from summer break and was all of a sudden super attractive? That’s the Jacksonville jaguars this off season, and with so many new faces the casual fan might not know what to look for. The NFL is a business and if you don’t produce you will be replaced. The largest growth in a player’s game generally happens between year one and two. The Allan Brothers broke out as one of the league’s best wide receivers duos and you shouldn’t be surprised if another receiver follows in their footsteps this year.
Taking a look back at the 2014 draft class I felt there are a couple players who can make a significant jump this summer. T.J Yeldon and A.J Cann look to build on an impressive rookie year, and as James Sample and Dante Fowler look to return from injury, look for them to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Also, on offense watch for Rashad Greene to take the steps to have a breakout 2016.
With a relatively quiet 2015 he snagged only 19 receptions, 93 receiving yards and two touchdowns. As a member of the Seminoles his senior year in 2014, he set school records in receptions with 99, and ended up with over 1,300 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was one of Jamis Winston’s favorite targets and always made a play when the team needed him. Wide receiver coach Jerry Sullivan looks to help Greene breakout in 2016. Having him develop into a reliable slot threat means the jags might have on the best skill positions in the NFL. This is exciting considering it was just a couple years ago that the Jags used a hodgepodge of receivers: Cecil shorts, Ace Sanders, and Justin Blackmon.
Other than Greene’s ability to catch passes, he also is a unique threat in the return game. He ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash at the combine, and his speed was on full display when he took a 73 yard punt return to the house against the Indianapolis Colts. His speed and elusiveness is a pain for opposing defensive backs and with another off season under his belt look for Greene to kick it into gear by the time the Green Bay Packers roll around week 1. Having Greene develop into a starting role would add another weapon in the Jaguars offense and help cement the Jags as one of the premier passing attacks in the league.