Jacksonville Jaguars WR Marvin Jones Jr. thriving ahead of 2021 season

The draft is the principal means for NFL teams to acquire talent but free agency also gives them the chance to add reinforcements to their roster and acquire playmakers. Of all the players the Jacksonville Jaguars signed this year, one stands out on offense, wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., who is already making an impact.

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report recently drew up a list of veteran players thriving in new situations and Jones showed up. Here’s what he had to say about the 2012 fifth-round pick.

"Going into the offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars wanted to add a veteran wideout who could help bring along their promising young prospects. After signing Marvin Jones Jr. in free agency, the team appears to have found the ideal leader for its receiving corps."

Kay notes that Jones has been drawing rave reviews and quotes Jaguars offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who sees him as another coach in the receiving room, via Kassidy Hill of Jaguar report.

"For me it’s like another coach over there in the receiver room because he has been with me for two years and we have coached up a lot of these things."

Signing Marvin Jones was a smart decision by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Instead of singing a big-name wide receiver such as Kenny Golladay or Cory Davis in free agency, the Jags opted to give Jones a “modest” two-year contract worth $14.5. Looking back, they got a bargain, as the California product has quickly established himself as both a veteran voice in the locker room and a difference-maker on the football field.

As much as Jones’ presence has benefited the Jaguars’ wide receiver room, he will also shine on the football field. Don’t take anybody’s word for it though. Here’s what teammate Laviska Shenault Jr. had to say about him a couple of weeks ago. “He’s definitely a player but he’s also a great player still going into his tenth year”.

Jones only played 13 snaps in the Jags’ Week 1 preseason game against the Cleveland Browns but he finished the night with three passes for 52 yards. Moreover, he posted a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 86.1, the fourth-highest among Jaguars players. He should have the same kind of impact in the regular season.

As Viska pointed out, he’s still going strong. Even though he’s had just one 1,000-yard season over his NFL career, he’s scored 32 touchdowns over the last four years. Also, he has caught just fewer than 779 yards just once since 2015.

DJ Chark Jr. will be the Jags’ top receiver in 2021 and Jones will be the number two. Despite the depth the Jags have at wide receiver, Jones should still get plenty of targets his way. He may not reach the 1,000-yard mark receiving but should have no trouble finding the endzone around eight times.

The Jacksonville Jaguars know that quarterback Trevor Lawrence alone can’t help them win games. That’s why they spent their offseason fortifying their offense and making sure he’s in a position to succeed. Marvin Jones gives him a reliable target.