After watching the Jacksonville Jaguars scrimmage on Friday night, I am convinced this not only will be a Super Bowl contender, but this roster will be better than it was last season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars added more speed and depth to its roster, meaning opposing defenses will need to worry more than the legs of Leonard Fournette. The wide receivers in camp may comprise the fastest group this organization has ever had.
The notion of addition by subtraction fits in every sense of the description.
Marqise Lee looked impressive in 11-on-11 drills. DJ Chark continues to show his size and quickness will do well for him in the red zone.
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Donte Moncrief, who has been hobbled of late, has speed on the outside. Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole can be game breakers with every catch they make.
If it sounds like I am gushing a bit, I am. There are others – Jaydon Mickens, Rashad Greene, Shane Wynn and Allen Lazard who are fighting for the final spot on this roster.
If anything, the wide receiver “battle” this training camp should be the talk of the offseason.
When the Jaguars began OTAs in May, head coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett stressed not only getting better with each practice but competing at a high level.
This is a group that has done that. If the past week has been a snapshot of the 2018 season, there will be several solid pass catchers who will not make this team, but find work somewhere else.
It’s the nature of the beast in this business. As often said, the NFL is “results-based” and those who cannot perform don’t stick around too long.
Play of the day from the Jaguars' night practice on Friday: QB Blake Bortles threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to WR Dede Westbrook to cap a two-minute drill. It was a perfect throw from Bortles, to Westbrook's outside shoulder and and in a spot that CB... https://t.co/fJI80LTcuz
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) August 4, 2018
The top four spots have been claimed. Lee and Moncrief should be the two starters in Week 1. Chark and Cole will be the top reserves and play a large role in the three and four wide receiver sets. Then, the fun begins.
I cannot image Westbrook not making this team as the fifth pass catcher. Greene has had a solid camp so far. Mickens and his punt return ability make him valuable. Chark has also spent time with the special teams unit.
Wynn has flashed at times. Lazard and sixth-round draft pick, quarterback Tanner Lee, have connected on several pass plays over the past week. All this does is create tough decisions and hours of review for the coaching staff.
You could not say this about the Jaguars a few short years ago. Having too many wide receivers to choose from is a good problem to have. Making the right choices is the situation this coaching staff faces.