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Jaguars: 4 Players who improved in 2019

By David Levin

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 13: Tre Herndon #37 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles Jared Cook #87 of the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field on October 13, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 13: Tre Herndon #37 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles Jared Cook #87 of the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field on October 13, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Dawuane Smoot #94 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after sacking Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in the second quarter of a football game at TIAA Bank Field on October 27, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Dawuane Smoot #94 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after sacking Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets in the second quarter of a football game at TIAA Bank Field on October 27, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

The Jacksonville Jaguars saw some improved play from these four players despite a depressing 6-10 season.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark became a star this season. After a rookie campaign where he caught 14 passes, played mostly on special teams and spent five weeks dealing with an injury, the former LSU star proved to everyone here in Jacksonville and to the Jaguars opponents this season he is going to be trouble for opposing defenses.

The connection he had with rookie Gardner Minshew was one of the highlights of the Jaguars woeful season and one of the better quarterback-wide receiver combinations in the NFL.

"“Maybe one of the most surprising receivers to break out was 2018 second-round pick D.J. Chark. In just two seasons, Chark caught passes from four different quarterbacks over his first two seasons, including Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler. Despite all of the quarterback turnover, Chark has found a way to produce,” writes Marcus Mosher of FanSided.com."

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What makes the transition from “pass catcher” to “No. 1 pass catcher” was Chark’s commitment from the moment he walked onto the field at OTAs to becoming a better player. He caught the ball with more concentration. He ran routes with more confidence. He used his speed to separate from defenders this season.

The Jaguars had three wide receivers in Chark, Dede Westbrook and Chris Conley who all run under 4.4 in the 40 – giving Minshew more targets at his disposal. Whether it is Minshew of veteran Nick Foles throwing the ball next season in Jacksonville, there will be plenty of targets to work within the passing game.

"“In just 15 games this season, Chark finished with 1,008 yards, scoring eight touchdowns. Coming out of LSU, Chark was a deep-threat who needed a lot of work on his route-running. He’s become a much more polished player since entering the NFL,” Mosher added."

Chark wasn’t the only Jaguars player who improved last season. Here are three other Jaguars who had breakout seasons in 2019.

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