Chris Conley must help the Jaguars passing game in 2019

By David Levin | May 4, 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Running back Spencer Ware #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs is congratulated by wide receiver Chris Conley #17 after scoring a touchdown during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

The Jacksonville Jaguars did not draft a wide receiver last week in the Draft. The hope is Chris Conley can provide a spark and speed at the position.

The Jacksonville Jaguars did not make a move to take a wide receiver in the NFL Draft, as the team continued to preach it was happy with the core of pass catchers on the roster. Adding Chris Conley in free agency was a move the front office made to help the existing veterans onboard and to help stretch the field.

When Chris Conley signed with the Jaguars, it was a bit curious. He was a player with an injury history and lack of production from his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. He is being counted on to first be completely healthy and second to show off speed that added with Dede Westbrook, DJ Chark and Marqise Lee could be one of the faster wide receiver groups in the NFL.

Lee is still rehabbing an ACL injury. He is expected back before the regular season, but a timetable is not certain yet. The starters at this position, other than Westbrook are too be determined.

Conley’s decision to come to Jacksonville was due in part to his connection to Nick Foles, who he played with in Kansas City and the fact the Jaguars signed the quarterback to a four-year free agent deal. I will admit I was wrong when discussing this topic with a fan a couple of weeks ago, having Foles in the fold here in Jacksonville did help in getting the former Georgia standout to North Florida.

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"“Nick Foles has been a friend of mine for a long time,” Conley said via Jaguars.com. “Three years ago, I said, ‘Hey, you’re going to be a starting quarterback someday. When you are, let’s make it happen. Let’s make this run.’“There was opportunity here to begin with, but the addition of him at quarterback … that sealed the deal for me.”"

Familiarity is important when bringing in a key player like a new quarterback. Having John DiFilippo as the team’s new offensive coordinator was important to change the team’s lack of success with the passing game. Having another player like James O’Shaughnessy come back to play tight end could also help the position. Adding Conley, who may become a favorite target of Foles is something to watch in camp and this season.

Chris Conley played in all 16 games last season, but only caught 32 passes for 334 yards and five touchdowns. As prolific as the Chiefs were on offense, Conley needs to have a bigger role here in Jacksonville. After the Donte Moncrief experiment that failed last season, a 50-catch season would be a bonus for Jacksonville, Foles and the passing game.

"Per John Oehser of Jaguars.com, “Conley (6-feet-3, 205 pounds), a third-round selection by the Chiefs in the 2015 NFL Draft, started 34 of 53 career games in his first four seasons. He has caught 104 passes for 1,238 yards and six touchdowns, with his best season coming this past season.”"

It might be a sign of things to come.

At 26 years old, there is still plenty of football to be played in Conley’s career. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good. Maybe reuniting with Foles will provide magic for this Jaguars offense. If the team can get production out of Conley, have a healthy group of pass catchers in the mix and find a way to open up the passing game, the 2018 season may be a faded memory.

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It starts with the familiarity we talked about earlier. Foles to Conley has a nice ring to it. Now let’s see how it looks on the practice field and on Sunday’s when the two connect for touchdowns for this organization.

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