Jacksonville Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault offers big play ability

The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. with one goal in mind – to be a playmaker in the team’s offense.

Of all the draft picks selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend, Laviska Shenault Jr. might be the most intriguing and have the most upside.

The Colorado standout is one of those players who can electrify crowds with his pass-catching ability and production. It’s something the Jaguars have needed, given DJ Chark had a breakout season. The offense got production from Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley, and Keelan Cole, but the need for a true playmaker was evident all season.

Shenault has a chance to be “that guy” the Jacksonville Jaguars will use in various situations this season. Also, Westbrook, Cole, and Conley are all working on a one-year deal essentially. Whether all or any of them return in 2021 depends on their production and how they fit into offensive coordinator Jay Gruden’s scheme in the west coast offense.

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A Chark-Shenault combination might be the kind of duo that has Jacksonville Jaguars fans talking for years to come.

By the way, yes that’s a tease for a story by Grant Gunderson later in the week.

"“After going defense in the first round the Jaguars finally get Gardner Minshew some help on offense with Shenault. He’s a big receiver (6-foot-1, 227 pounds) who battled injuries and inconsistent quarterback play at Colorado the past two seasons,” Michael DiRocco wrote for ESPN.com.“The Jaguars needed to add a receiver because DJ Chark is the only receiver under contract beyond 2020. Shenault — who describes himself as a mix between Larry Fitzgerald, Jarvis Landry and Julio Jones — played all three receiver spots but is a better fit outside.”"

There is no lack of confidence. There doesn’t need to be any. While I was hoping for the Jaguars brass to swoop up Denzel Mims from Baylor, watching Shenault makes plenty of sense, and playing on a fast track for the Buffaloes, it showed how his acceleration in open space makes him a formidable option for Minshew across the middle or on the deep route.

And he was praised for his playmaking ability by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.

"“He offers explosive playmaking potential with strength/wiggle to house a short catch-and-run throw or race and leap to pull in a bomb downfield. Shenault shines as a phone-booth bully who’s able to body up and create late windows while securing throws with vice-grip hands.” He adds.“Evaluators get excited by his talent as a direct-snap runner, but sometimes he’s too physical for his own good, which could bring his history of durability into play. Despite his traits and talent, there is work to be done as route-runner and coordinators need to determine how best to use him.”"

One thing that should not be a concern is a core injury surgery after the Combine. He was able to participate in some drills, but teams did not his full participation. He was supposed to be completely healed prior to the NFL Draft.

If he is fully ready for training camp and can flash his deep speed both he and Chark could make this an exciting season for the Jacksonville Jaguars passing game.