Where will Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Keelan Cole land in 2021?
After a disappointing 2020 season and a hectic offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars can now turn their attention to the free agency period. They are projected to have $77 million in cap space and will have the ability to re-sign whichever players they want and be active in the open market.
For the moment, there are no indications which players the Jaguars are going to re-sign and which ones they’re going to let walk away. However, bringing back wide receiver Keelan Cole should be at the top of their priority list. He’s been a key cog on their offense in the last four years and is one of their few pending free agents worth keeping this offseason.
An undrafted free agent in 2017, the Kentucky Wesleyan product has hauled in 159 receptions for 2,242 yards and 12 touchdowns in his four-year career. He’s already expressed his desire to re-sign with the Jaguars, but it’s uncertain if the team’s brass is interested in giving him a contract. In fact, the front office could opt to let Cole hit the open market and sign someone like Allen Robinson, Chris Goodwin, or Kenny Golladay in the open market.
Cole isn’t a number one wideout but could be a solid contributor for whatever team he plays for in 2021. Here are three potential landing spots for him in case the ‘Jags’ opt not to give him a new deal.
3. Detroit Lions
Just like the Jaguars, the Detroit Lions will have a completely different look in 2021. After moving on from Matt Patricia in the middle of the 2020 season, they hired Dan Campbell as their head coach. That’s not the only change the team has made nor the last one they will make this offseason though.
They traded quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams and received Jared Goff and two first-round selections. Next on the Lions’ offseason list is deciding which players they’re going to bring back in 2021. Wide receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones are scheduled to hit the open market and they may have trouble keeping both, as they have just $6 million in cap space.
Regardless of who leaves in free agency, Detroit will need to replenish their wide receiver corps and Keelan Cole would be a solid addition in free agency. The Lions hold the seventh overall pick in 2021’s draft and could use it on a prospect such as DeVonte Smith or Ja’Marr Chase. However, they will also need a veteran voice in their locker room and Cole could fill that role.
2. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders’ offense ranked tenth in 2020. They have an efficient quarterback in Derek Carr and a stud tight end in Darren Waller. However, they didn’t get much production from their wide receiver unit in 2020 and their best wideout will likely walk away this offseason.
Former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Aghlor signed a one-year deal with the Raiders in 2020 and quickly became one of their most productive players on offense, hauling in 48 receptions for 896 yards and eight touchdowns. After having a career year, ‘Nelly’ is scheduled to become a free agent and Las Vegas may have a hard time bringing him back.
In case Agholor hits the open market, the Raiders will need to replenish their wider receiver unit. Although Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards displayed flashes in their rookie season, the team might be better off signing a veteran wide receiver in free agency.
You could make the case Cole could have the same kind of production Agholor had in 2020 with better quarterback play. Back in his rookie year, he had 42 cathces for 748 yards and three touchdowns. Also, Cole’s salary demands will probably be lower than Agholor’s, which could make it an attractive option for team that may have a limited budget this offseason.
1. Chicago Bears
It seems like the Chicago Bears have already seen enough of quarterback Mitch Trubiski and are ready to move on from him this offseason, so they will probably have a new starting signal-caller in 2021.
Regardless of who takes snaps under center, the Bears will need to surround him with weapons. Wide receiver Allen Robinson will be one of the most coveted players in the open market and a team (maybe the Jaguars) could outbid them for his services. If ‘A-Rob’ leaves Chicago, they will need someone to play opposite of Darnell Mooney, who should have a breakout season in 2021.
The Bears are currently $6 million in the red, so it will probably be a herculean task to re-sign Robinson. However, if they get creative with their cap situation, they could have enough room to sign someone like Keelan Cole in the open market.
John DeFilippo, who recently got promoted to passing game coordinator, worked with Cole back when he was the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator. His presence in ‘Chi Town’ could convince the wide receiver to sign with the Bears. Cole hasn’t been as productive as Robinson has been in their careers. However, he could offer stability to a Bears wide receiver corps that lacks experience heading into the 2021 season.