Jacksonville Jaguars: 3 realistic expectations for WR DJ Chark in 2021

The Jacksonville Jaguars have spent this offseason adding depth and talent and the roster looks significantly different than it did at the end of the 2020 season. Even though there are plenty of new faces, there are a few returning players that should have a big impact on the team in 2021, and one of them is four-year wide receiver DJ Chark Jr.

A second-round selection in 2018, Chark has been one of the best skill-position players the Jags have had in recent years. Over the last three seasons, he’s hauled in 140 receptions for 1,888 yards and 13 touchdowns. You may be wondering how that kind of production would qualify as good, but you have to keep in mind that the LSU product had a quiet rookie campaign, catching just 14 receptions for 174 yards and no touchdowns.

Things changed in Chark’s sophomore season, when he amassed 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight trips to the end zone. His production in 2019 earned him a Pro Bowl designation and looked ready to join the next wide receiver tier, but then, 2020 happened.

Jacksonville had one of the worst offenses in the NFL and suffered from inconsistency at the quarterback position last year. Their poor quarterback play impacted the Chark and the wide receiver corps negatively. The 2018 second-round pick finished the 2020 season with 53 receptions for 796 and five touchdowns.

While these numbers are less than optimal for a number-one receiver, there are reasons to believe Chark can bounce back in 2021 and play at a Pro-Bowl level once again. For that reason, here are three reasonable expectations for him in the upcoming season.