Jacksonville Jaguars: Can Arrelious Benn catch on this year?
By Luke Sims
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Arrelious Benn has seen his career derailed but could finally catch on in 2016.
Way back in 2010 a wide receiver by the name of Arrelious Benn was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round. The receiver had posted one 1000 yard receiving performance in his three-year career at the University of Illinois. It was his freshman season that stood out, though. He set a school freshman record with 43 receptions and 521 yards while leading the Fighting Illini in receiving.
Overall, it wasn’t so much his production in college that led to interest in the NFL as his potential and athleticism. He was a kick returner, occasionally a ball carrier, and a talented wide receiver all rolled into one. He finished fourth in school history in total all purpose yards.
But three seasons in the NFL saw him appear in only 37 games, start in just 24, and amass only 59 receptions, 862 yards, and five touchdowns. This was hardly the production teams had hoped for when he first came out of college.
2013 was the last time Benn saw the field in the NFL. In 2015 he found his way to the Jacksonville Jaguars, hoping to land a spot on the roster. Shoulder, knee, ACL injuries, and pretty much anything else had kept him off the field before. In 2015, just before the season, he suffered a broken collar bone and missed out again.
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2016 may finally be his year, though. The big receiver continues to impress in team practices (
including a 70-yard catch and run
) and is capable of being one of the “other guys” at a position crowded with talent. His past history is tough to overcome, but he could finally get there in 2016.
It isn’t a guaranteed spot and he’ll have to prove he can compete and stay on the field. He has the talent to be among the best at his position if he’s able to take advantage of it and actually deliver.
So far this preseason, Benn has just two receptions for nine yards. He has two more games to prove he can be more productive an explosive after the catch. It would be a great feel-good story if he could make the team in 2016. Personally, I’m crossing my finger for him.