Marqise Lee is a big key to the Jacksonville Jaguars offense taking the next step

By Daniel Lago | May 29, 2016

Dec 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) and wide receiver Marqise Lee (11) leave the field after a game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 51-16. at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Steve-USA TODAY Sports /

Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars have found two high-end receivers, they still want to get something out of former second round pick Marqise Lee.

When the Jacksonville Jaguars selected UCF quarterback Blake Bortles with the third overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, they committed to building the offense around the young signal caller. They spent the next 3 picks on offensive starters – wide receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson in the second round, and guard Brandon Linder in the third round.

Linder and Robinson have both become quality starters and Robinson has blossomed into one of the best young wide receivers in the entire NFL.

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While hitting on two out of three players in the 2nd and 3rd round isn’t bad, the team still needs to get something out of the highest drafted player of the three (Marqise Lee).

Lee hasn’t been completely healthy for a full offseason yet in the NFL and it’s shown in his regular season production. In 23 games played over 2 seasons, Lee only has 52 receptions for 613 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s shown flashes of the explosiveness and top-end speed that made him such a dynamic college player at USC, but nagging injuries have hampered him.

For the first time, Lee is healthy in the offseason and quarterback Blake Bortles is thrilled about it:

"“He does a lot of things that there’s not a whole lot of people who can do. The way he comes in and out of cuts and his speed and ability to run with the ball in his hands after the catch. He definitely has a lot of that added value. It’s cool to see him healthy and finally feeling good running around.”– Jaguars QB Blake Bortles"

While the Jaguars took a big step forward on offense in 2015 without much from Lee, the team was clearly missing a speed element. Robinson and Allen Hurns are terrific receivers and showed ability to make plays down the field, but neither is known for taking the top off a defense in terms of running past corners and safeties. Head coach Gus Bradley knows this:

"“He has something that we don’t have now — his explosiveness and his speed — so it’s important that he keeps progressing like he does.”– Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley"

The Jaguars made a lot of additions on defense and not so many on offense this offseason, but some contributions from Lee would do wonders in terms of making this offense one of the best in the league.

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