Sleeper options at receiver for the Jaguars to draft in later rounds

Wide Receiver is a position of need for Jacksonville but they may look at other positions in the early rounds. Are any of these players an option for the Jaguars in later rounds?

The Jacksonville Jaguars need for a new wide receiver has been a hot topic in Jacksonville for some time now. They finally have the quarterback who can deliver the ball to his receivers with precision but Nick Foles will not be successful if his receivers cannot get open.

Currently, the Jaguars have a young receiving corps that have something to prove, but adding depth at receiver is always a smart idea and some of the best wide receivers in the NFL are players who were drafted late such as Antonio Brown, a sixth round pick, Tyreek Hill, a fifth round pick, or Adam Thielen, who went undrafted.

Sleeper players are something that every team loves, those players who for whatever reason slip down the draft boards and are gems in latter rounds. This is a list of four players who fit that description that the Jaguars should draft.

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Diontae Johnson , Toledo – Measurements- 5’10 183 lbs – NFL Combine Results: 40 Yard Dash: 4.53, Vertical Jump: 33.5 inches, 3 Cone Drill:7.09, Bench Press: 15 Reps.  Draft Projection: Rounds 5-7.  Comparison: He reminds me a bit of Julian Edelman, same size both very quick and live off of YAC.

Diontae Jackson is the typical sleeper player that will make teams pay for letting him slip. He doesn’t have the desired size that an NFL team would want from a receiver and he didn’t blow any scouts away at the combine but Diontae is a playmaker.

He is shifty in space and has the ability to turn a 5 yard slant or a bubble screen into a 50 yard touchdown. He also shows incredible fight and tenacity while run blocking as well. He didn’t go to a big name school in a power conference but a very strong game against Miami shows he isn’t just a product of poor competition.

He doesn’t just have potential as a receiver, he could also serve as a returner or even create big plays off of sweeps and outside runs. The Jaguars could take advantage of his speed.

Johnnie Dixon, Ohio State – Measurements – 5’10, 201 lbs – NFL Combine Results: 40 Yard Dash: 4.41, Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches, Bench Press: 16 Reps. Draft Projection: Rounds 6-7.  Comparison: When I look at Johnnie I see someone like Emmanuel Sanders, a player with very good speed and a does a great job of stretching the field and getting open deep.

Johnnie Dixon has speed that you cannot teach. Injuries and a very deep Ohio State team with incredible depth at receiver is a key reason as to why Dixon will probably fly under the radar of many NFL teams.

One thing is for sure though, Dixon is dangerous. His yards per reception and eight touchdowns in his final two seasons at Ohio State are a testament to his big play ability. He has great speed, runs fluid routes, and has big play ability written all over him. Concerns over his size, hands, and injury history may be the reason Johnnie falls in the draft, but the Jaguarsmay be able to land a late round steal if he is picked.

Hakeem Butler, Iowa State – Measurements – 6’5, 227 lbs – NFL Combine Results: 40 Yard Dash: 4.48, Vertical Jump: Vertical Jump 36 inches, Bench Press: 18 Reps. Draft Projection: Rounds 2-6. Comparison: His combination of size, strength, and speed reminds me a lot of Vincent Jackson.

Hakeem Butler may be the player who is going to garner the most intrigue from NFL scouts just based off his size and his speed so he may not fall far enough to be considered a steal, however if the fact he is from a small school and worries about his drops make him fall down draft boards Jacksonville may find themselves drafting a gem in the fourth round.

Butler has very good speed and unquestioned strength. He is a deep threat with size and Jacksonville could definitely use a player with his skill set. He isnt the most consistent receiver in terms of dropping the ball, but he has flashed the ability to make the difficult catches.

Good coaching could turn him into the consistent receiver that posses big play ability.

Tyre Brady, Marshall – Measurements – 6’3 , 211 lbs – NFL Combine Results: Did not participate in the 40 yard dash, Vertical Jump: 32 inches, Bench Press: 12 Reps.  Draft Projection: Rounds 4-7

Tyre Brady is a very good route runner who finds ways to get open and make plays. He has good, but not great speed but very good hands.

His size is something that will draw plenty of interest from teams. He is a bit thin, but his height still means that he is a threat in the redzone with a nose for the endzone. He might find a little trouble getting off of an NFL press because of his lack of strength.

He also lacks legitimate big play but his consistent hands are something that every NFL team enjoys.