Jacksonville Jaguars draft spotlight: UCF wide receiver Marlon Williams

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a solid wide receiver corps but it wouldn’t hurt them to add reinforcements this offseason. They have a pair of playmakers in DJ Chark Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr., so using an early-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft may not be at the top of their priority list. However, they could use a Day 3 pick on UCF’s Marlon Williams if they don’t want to invest an early-round pick in a wideout or they want to double-dip at the position.

A three-star recruit, Williams committed to USC in 2016 before rescinding his commitment the following year and choosing UCF. Although he only hauled in 35 receptions for 504 receiving yards and three in his first two seasons, his role in the Knight’s offense increased in 2019, catching 51 passes for 717 yards and six touchdowns. The Alabama native then had 71 receptions for 1,039 yards and ten touchdowns in 2020.

Williams averaged at least 14.1 yards per reception three times over his four-year collegiate career at UCF and could be a solid slot receiver in the NFL even though he lacks the ideal size for the position. He’s tough to bring down and has solid hands, having dropped just eight passes on 165 catchable targets, per Pro Football Focus. On the other hand, he lacks explosiveness and struggles in contested catches.

Why should the Jacksonville Jaguars use a pick on Marlon Williams?

The Jaguars may lose Keelan Cole and Chris Conley this offseason, so it would be a good idea to replenish their wide receiver unit. If they want to use an early-round pick in the draft, they could target Kadarius Toney with the 25th overall pick in the draft, but if they want to wait until the later rounds, Williams should be an option alongside Marquez Stevenson.

Wide receiver isn’t a pressing need for the Jaguars this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they should neglect the position altogether. In fact, they have the resources to upgrade their wide receiver group and make it a more complete unit.