Should Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook get a contract extension?

Has Dede Westbrook done enough over the past two seasons to warrant a contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars?

Wide receiver Dede Westbrook was supposed to be the Jacksonville Jaguars rising star for the 2019 season. Instead, the former fourth-round draft pick in 2017 underperformed with the expectations put on him. Is the former Fred Biletnikoff Award winner worthy of a contract extension?

Westbrook ended his 2019 campaign with 66 catches for 660 yards and three touchdowns. Many considered him to be a breakdown fantasy star and consistent pass catcher with quarterback Nick Foles joining the team last offseason. The hype appeared to be true as Foles and Westbrook formed a camaraderie throughout the preseason.

But 11 plays into the season Foles went down and rookie Gardner Minshew entered the mix. Westbrook would no longer reap the benefits as the clear-cut number one receiver. D.J. Chark would steal the show in Duval, and now Westbrook’s status as a player on the roster going forward springs more questions as he enters his last season under contract.

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The former Oklahoma star is set to earn a little over $2M in 2020 and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2021. The truth is it really depends on what the Jaguars decide in the coming months with their roster that will give fans a better idea of Westbrook’s potential future with the team.

Wide receivers Marqise Lee and Keelan Cole will have their Jaguars fate decided this offseason, and a solid class of receivers could be on the team’s radar going into the draft.

With Chark being the definitive No. 1 receiver, everyone else is a question mark as they fight for a spot. Jacksonville did pick up the option on Chris Conley’s contract, which will keep him in town this coming season.

Westbrook appears to be the best of the bunch after Chark, but bringing in a free agent like Breshad Perriman or drafting a younger option like Jerry Jeudy or Laviska Shenault Jr. could hurt Westbrook’s chances.

Despite having a somewhat disappointing season, two stats highlight the importance of Westbrook in his last two seasons with the Jaguars. In both 2018 and 2019, Westbrook was targeted 101 times, and both seasons he averaged over 10 yards per reception.

With Minshew having a full offseason under his belt, his progression will be key in creating many opportunities for Westbrook and the other pass-catchers. Also, the addition of Jay Gruden will give Westbrook opportunities to make plays off the play action.

The 2020 season will be crucial for Westbrook, who needs to prove whether or not he can have a breakout season and become a consistent threat again for the Jaguars. This team suffered a lot of disappointment on the offensive side of the football despite the stellar play of Chark and the surprise of Minshew.

Having Westbrook return to his 2018 form would be a nice surprise for this franchise and help make a case for the speedster to remain in Jacksonville past this coming season.