DJ Chark: The Jacksonville Jaguars underrated star in 2020

The Jacksonville Jaguars have more than one player on their roster who could have a huge season in 2020.

Thank you, Rucker Haringey. My colleague here at FanSided.com gets it. There are other players on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster besides Gardner Minshew who are underrated heading into the 2020 season.

For those of you who have followed posts here on Black and Teal and other NFL sites, wide receiver DJ Chark had a very good season in 2019, but there is still more to accomplish as he and the Jaguars try to silence critics about how bad this team could be this coming season.

For everyone who has praised Minshew, and at the same time being critical of whether the second-year pro can make another leap into NFL lore, there is Chark just waiting to blossom as an elite NFL pass catcher.

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Haringey has listed the former LSU standout as one of the leagues most underrated players before this season starts.

"“Minshew Mania made all the headlines in Jacksonville last year, but the reality is the rookie quarterback benefited from the weapons he had around him. In particular, Chark’s ability to make big plays on the outside really opened things up for Minshew,” he writes."

Chark was turning heads in training camp this time last year, catching everything in sight on the practice fields from Nick Foles. Little did the media (and the Jacksonville Jaguars fan base) know it would be Minshew tossing dimes to Chark last season.

The connection between the two should make for interesting storylines this season and beyond.

"“73 receptions may not jump off the stats page at anyone, but the fact that Chark turned those catches into 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns should make NFL fans, media and executives take notice,” Haringey added. “Chark is a serious weapon when he gets a chance to work down the field against single coverage.”"

And now that the Jacksonville Jaguars added Laviska Shenault to the wide receiver room and Collin Johnson, who is a tall end zone target, this is a group of pass-catchers – with Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley, and Keelan Cole, that deserves more attention this season.

It’s also a wide receiver group that could look totally different in 2021 with Chark the only veteran under contact after 2020.

"“Every NFL offense needs a player like Chark who can strike fear in the hearts of opposing defensive backs. The Jaguars knew his technique needed work when they drafted him out of LSU,” writes Haringey. “2019 was the season where his skill finally started to catch up with his elite athleticism.”"

Chark’s speed and size make him a target in the red zone the Jaguars need this season. He is part of a group of speedsters who run a sub-4.40 40-yards dash with Conley and Westbrook. New offensive coordinator Jay Gruden will take full advantage of that in his system this season.

The pass-friendly game plan should make the Jaguars a more enjoyable offense to watch this season. Chark and his teammates could make the Jaguars one of the more surprising vertical games in the league this year.

"“The question for Chark to answer now is just how good he can become. Any gains he makes from this point forward give him a chance to become a superstar. He may never lead the league in catches, but he could lead his peers in yards and touchdowns one day."