4 Jacksonville Jaguars that were a nice surprise in 2021

No. 2 Jaguars player who was a nice surprise in 2021 – Jamal Agnew.

The Jaguars signed Jamal Agnew because of what he brought to the return. However, he became a key contributor on offense down the stretch. Once DJ Chark Jr. fractured his ankle, the defensive back-turned-receiver gave Jacksonville a spark.

Agnew caught his first receiving touchdown of the season against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8. That was the only time the Jags scored that game, which they lost 31-7. He then had a 66-yard touchdown run against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10. Unfortunately, his season came to an end when he suffered a hip injury against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11.

As important as Agnew was for the Jaguars’ offense, he was a playmaker in the return game and had touchdown returns in back-to-back games. First, he had a 102-yard kickoff return against the Denver Broncos, and the following week, he returned a failed field-goal attempt 109 yards for a touchdown. His performance received so much attention that his cleats ended in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio.

Keep in mind that Agnew had already made the All-Pro as a returner in 2017, his rookie year, and had five touchdown returns before signing with the Jags last offseason. That doesn’t make his 2021 performance any less impressive: He should be fully healthy in 2022 and will once again be a difference-maker in both Jacksonville’s offense and special teams.