3 Jaguars that could have a diminished role in 2021

2. Laviska Shenault Jr, wide receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars

Laviska Shenault Jr. didn’t get a fair shot last season. He appeared in 14 games in 2020 and logged 58 receptions for 600 yards and five touchdowns. While those are respectable numbers for a rookie wide receiver, his production could’ve been better if the Jaguars had had a better quarterback. The fact he sustained a thumb injury late in the season didn’t help matters.

You could think that Shenault’s role would increase this upcoming season since the Jaguars opted to let Keelan Cole walk away in free agency. However, the sophomore wide receiver will have a few hurdles in 2021. First, the team’s brass signed Marvin Jones Jr. this offseason. Even though the 2012 fifth-round pick isn’t a number-one receiver, he will have a feature role in Jacksonville’s offense and will most likely start opposite DJ Chark Jr. in Week 1.

Also, rookie running back Travis Etienne is getting snaps at wide receiver, and could end up playing a high volume of snaps in that position this season. Then, there’s fellow sophomore Collin Johnson, who has been endorsed by legend Jimmy Smith.

If ‘Viska’ ends up having a smaller role in 2021, it won’t be because of a lack of talent. Last season, he led all rookies with 13 contested catches and had the third-most missed tackles after the catch among rookies last year, per Pro Football Focus. He has the potential to be a featured receiver. Nevertheless, he might not get the chance to showcase his talent in Jacksonville.