Is WR Marvin Jones the Jacksonville Jaguars’ most underrated player?

When you think of players that will have a big impact for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, quarterback Trevor Lawrence or linebacker Myles Jack probably come to mind. However, one player that should get more attention is Marvin Jones Jr. The Jags had a talented wide receiver corps last year but decided to upgrade the unit this offseason and signed him in free agency.

James Fragoza of Pro Football Network recently put together a list of every NFL team’s most underrated player and Jones got the nod for the Jaguars. He says that the 2012 fifth-round pick has put his head down and produce over his eight-year career – he missed the whole 2014 season with an ankle injury. Fragoza points out that Jones hasn’t had less than 500 yards or four touchdowns in a season outside of his rookie campaign. He notes that he caught 76 receptions for 978 yards and had nine trips to the end zone last year.

Fragoza then wonders if Jones can build a connection with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and have a career year in Jacksonville. The California product has never had the chance to shine, that’s why he’s only logged one 1,000-yards season. Back with the Cincinnati Bengals, he has the number two wide receiver behind an A.J. Green in his prime. Later with the Detroit Lions, he played second fiddle to Kenny Golladay. You could definitely say he’s underrated as he has scored 32 receiving touchdowns over the last four seasons.

Marvin Jones will play a big role for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.

Jones is an underrated player at the league level, not in Jacksonville. Teammates have raved about the veteran receiver’s presence in the team. DJ Chark recently had a sit-down with the local media and had nothing but praise for the former Lion, ‘Marvin is a great guy, you turn in the film, you see what he can do year in year out, very consistent’.

Later, Chark describes Jones as a great role model and someone he really enjoying having in the room, and a player opposing defenses have to respect. Chark also says that playing with Jones making him a better player,  ‘that makes me pick up my game because I always want to be the best on the field. If he’s out there making plays, I gotta go make plays too like friendly competition’.

In the end, the LSU product believes that competition is going to help everyone be better, ‘it’s only going to get both of us where we want to be and get this team to where we want to be at. As long as he’s up in his game, I’m up in my game, next guy gotta up his game and that’s how this room becomes better’.

In retrospect, the Jaguars got a bargain when you take into account the fact Jones signed a two-year deal worth $12.5 million. This Jacksonville team got a player that can produce at a high level and have a positive influence on his teammates. He has previously been named the Jags’ best offseason acquisition and based on the impact he’s had in the short time he’s been in Duval, it’s hard to disagree.