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Jaguars: The next step for DJ Chark in the NFL

By David Levin

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 17: DJ Chark Jr. #17 of the Jacksonville Jaguars shushes the crowd after making a touchdown catch in the first quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 17: DJ Chark Jr. #17 of the Jacksonville Jaguars shushes the crowd after making a touchdown catch in the first quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark took a major step forward this season in becoming the main target in the team’s passing game.

Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark made the biggest jump from his rookie season in 2018 to a Pro Bowl player in 2019. Now, it’s time to see if this kind of progression will continue in 2020, while the second-round draft pick out of LSU takes his place among the NFL’s elite wide receivers.

There is a good chance this is just the beginning for Chark, who missed one game due to injury but still caught passes for 1,0008 receiving yards with the Black and Teal this past season.

"“He caught 14 passes for 174 yards as a rookie in 2018 and admitted in the offseason that he didn’t realize how hard he needed to work — and that he wasn’t even close to that level,” Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com added.“One year later, Chark was the Jaguars’ most improved player, with 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s one of five players in Jaguars history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in a season.”"

On a team that had significant changes at quarterback and no real tight end to speak of for the majority of the season, it was Chark who became “the man” in the passing game with Gardner Minshew throwing him most of the passes he caught this past year.

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Given that the offense may look a little different this coming season over last, where the notion of “ground and pound” will be replaced by a more open west coast offense under the direction of new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, it could mean more passes come Chark’s way. It could also mean the 6-foot-4 Chark plays a role similar to A.J Green in the offensive game plan like Gruden ran in Cincinnati before becoming the head coach of the Washington Redskins.

Having Gruden on staff could also change the direction of play for running back Leonard Fournette, who led the team in rushing last season and in pass receptions.

"“Jay Gruden fit a lot of wants,” Jaguars.com senior writer John Oehser explained.“That was clear Wednesday morning when Head Coach Doug Marrone discussed Gruden’s hiring as Jaguars offensive coordinator, and it was clear that Marrone liked Gruden’s experience as not only a play-caller but a head coach.”"

The Jaguars have three speedy receivers – Dede Westbrook and Chris Conley – who run under 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. The team could also add more depth at the position in either free agency of the NFL Draft.

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