Jacksonville Jaguars WR could have productive rookie season

What kind of impact will Laviska Shenault have with the Jacksonville Jaguars passing game this coming season?

Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com recently wrote about the 10 rookie wide receivers who could have the greatest impact on the 2020 season. Laviska Shenault, who was taken in the second round by the Jacksonville Jaguars was included in her list.

How much of an impact Shenault, who played his college ball at Colorado, will make really depends on how much the Jaguars coaching staff involves him in the team’s game plan this season. There is plenty of room for improvement in the team’s wide receiver room. DJ Chark was a Pro Bowl performer last season. Dede Westbrook and Chris Conley were better than average but the skill positions still need another dynamic performer.

Enter Shenault, who could be used in multiple sets and could be an option with different schemes in Jay Gruden’s game plan.

More from Jaguars Draft

• Jacksonville Jaguars fortify secondary in 4-round 2023 Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft
• The Jaguars may look for edge rushers with pick 24
• The Jacksonville Jaguars got so lucky with the 2021 NFL Draft
• Jaguars fortify OL with Jaelyn Duncan in CBS Sports’ 2023 NFL Mock Draft
• Jacksonville Jaguars don’t need to trade up in the 2023 NFL Draft to land a cornerback

"“Per PFF, Shenault’s Colorado receiving snaps last season broke down as follows: He aligned wide on 107 snaps, was in the slot on 75 snaps and in the backfield on 27 snaps.” Frelund writes. “Since 2018, Shenault had the most yards after the catch among Pac-12 receivers (1,060), per PFF. Injuries add context to his 2019 season for sure, but the takeaway is that he’s versatile and physical with a lot of upside.”"

That is what the front office is counting on. The West Coast offense that is being installed should make things a bit easier for Gardner Minshew, who had success last season but also needs to continue to develop as a quarterback with more consistency.

In 14 games last season, 12 as a starter, Minshew threw for 3,271 yards and 21 touchdowns. He did have issues holding onto the football and also needs to do a better job of hitting his wide receivers in the open field across the middle and underneath.

The Jaguars will only have one veteran wide receiver under contract after the end of the 2020 season. Chark might be the only pass catcher on the roster besides Shenault and Collin Johnson, who was drafted in the fifth round in April.

At 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds, Shenault gives the Jaguars another dimension in their passing game. While Chark is 6-foot-4 and 199 pounds, the rookie is a thick pass-catcher who can muscle his way through defenders to make the tough catch.

He will become an asset in the red zone and at the goal line. The Jaguars red zone offense was one of the worst in the NFL last season.