Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Friday Fact or Fiction for Week 9
By Daniel Lago
Dede Westbrook will catch 5+ passes: FACT
The Jaguars have struggled at the wide receiver position for the majority of the season. Allen Robinson‘s injury in week 1 was a huge blow to a passing game with seemingly little margin for error.
Allen Hurns is a number 2 receiver at best and Marqise Lee hasn’t really been consistent enough to rely on. Keelan Cole was an undrafted free agent who flashed during the preseason, but the expectations for him were never that high.
Fans have quietly been waiting for one guy who has been lying in wait for the first 8 weeks to come in and save the day – former Heisman trophy finalist Dede Westbrook.
Okay – it’s extremely unfair to put this much on a fourth round rookie, but it’s hard not to be excited after seeing Westbrook in action this preseason. Plenty of players excel against lesser competition during the exhibition games, but Westbrook showed traits that should translate to the regular season – elite speed, great hands, separation, and the ability to track the ball in the air.
One thing that shouldn’t be underestimated going into this game against the Bengals is just how much better the Jacksonville coaching staff is compared to recent seasons. Doug Marrone and company have had an extra week to try and figure out how to incorporate Westbrook into the offense and I think the rookie will make a big splash in his first game.