Jacksonville Jaguars 2018 NFL Draft: Wide Receiver is not biggest need

The Jacksonville Jaguars let a couple of important pieces leave on offense this offseason, but that doesn’t mean wide receiver is a glaring need.

Count me among the many who were upset when the Jacksonville Jaguars decided not to franchise former Pro Bowl wide receiver Allen Robinson earlier this offseasons. Yes, Robinson was coming off a serious injury and a down year, but the upside he presents when healthy is worth the gamble.

The Jaguars unceremoniously let Robinson go and instead signed Marqise Lee and Donte Moncrief to some rather sizeable contracts. Then, they released another promising receiver, Allen Hurns, leading many to question whether or not the Jaguars had enough firepower at the pass catching positions.

Yes they do.

As we head to the 2018 NFL Draft this Thursday, several analysts are still mocking a wide receiver to the Jaguars in round 1 – I don’t see it. The Jaguars have 4 guys who should get a lot of playing time at that position in Lee, Moncrief, Dede Westbrook, and Keelan Cole – where does a first round rookie fit into there?

In a piece he wrote leading up to this week, Todd McShay over at ESPN went through the top remaining needs for each team. For the Jaguars, he wasn’t too creative:

"Top needs: WR, TE, OG, QB, MLB/SLBThe Jaguars parted ways with Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, while bringing in Donte Moncrief and re-signing Marqise Lee. Another WR is needed, along with a tight end to complement free-agent signing Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Blake Bortles led the Jaguars to the AFC title game, but he signed a three-year cap-friendly deal. Jacksonville could look to draft another young QB for competition, especially with this terrific defense. Jacksonville may have the best CB tandem in the league, but could use help in the slot after losing Aaron Colvin. Right guard could be upgraded as well."

If McShay moved WR to last on that list, I would agree with it. It just doesn’t make sense for the Jaguars to take someone who would play so few snaps in the first round. A tight end makes sense in the short and long-term, as does offensive guard.

The other factor at play here is the quality of wide receiver in this draft. Is there going to be a real difference maker available at 29? For the Jaguars to make a WR the first round selection, they need to be able to make big plays on limited snaps since this is a run first team.

What do you think? Should the Jaguars target a WR in round 1?