Marqise Lee: How will the wide receiver impact 2016?

Marqise Lee has been overlooked by many because of the impressive performances from Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, but his presence in the Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers corps should not be overlooked.

It isn’t talked about a lot nationally, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are pretty stacked at wide receiver.

The top of the depth chart is occupied by widely acclaimed young play makers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, but there’s more to the group than just the top dogs.

One of the key players is Marqise Lee, who hasn’t been talked about much since he was called an “albino tiger” by offensive coordinator Greg Olson because he hasn’t seen him on the field due to injury. Still, Lee is widely regarded as a potentially impressive talent. A former Biletnikoff Award winner (given to the best collegiate wide receiver), Lee has been hampered by injury and struggled to deliver on his potential…yet.

Catching less than half of the 32 targets in 2015, Lee only contributed 191 yards on 15 catches in eight game appearances. This was a significant drop off from the 422 yards and 37 receptions the year before in 13 games. Expect him to work on returning to form and, possibly, break out in year three.

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Head coach Gus Bradley

has singled Lee out as a top performer through OTAs.

ESPN’s Michael DiRocco also noted that

Lee has been the best player on the field

thus far.

For all of the improvement with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, that’s big praise. Lee is garnering positive attention and impressing consistently across the board. He can finally become what the Jags hoped he may be.

If Lee is able to step up and provide another complementary force to Robinson, Hurns, and tight end Julius Thomas, the Jaguars’ passing attack will become even more formidable than it was with quarterback Blake Borltes’ breakout 2015 season.

Right now it’s all about potential. Plenty of players impress in the offseason before the pads are strapped on and they’re asked to deliver. Yet, because of Lee’s impressive collegiate career, it isn’t too presumptuous to finally expect the receiver to deliver in his third season. If he can stay healthy, expect returns for the second-round selection.