3 Jaguars whose potential replacements may be drafted in 2022
By Adam Laviano
No. 2 Jaguars player whose replacement can be drafted – Marvin Jones, WR.
Wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. is in the last year of the two-year deal he signed last offseason. DJ Chark Jr. was poised to be Lawrence’s preferred target while Jones would be a capable second option in 2021. However, Chark went down early in the season and Jones quickly became Lawrence’s top receiver.
While Jones made a reliable and consistent target for Lawrence, the rest of the Jags receiving corps did not fare so well. Even though the trio of Jones, Chark, and Laviska Shenault had at least one writer thinking the receivers were going to be a strength on the roster there turned out to not be much production outside of Jones.
Jones ended the season with 73 receptions, 832 yards, and four touchdowns. The next most productive receiver was Shenault with 63 catches, 619 yards, and zero touchdowns. Neither one of these players are the difference maker that the offense needs.
The front office wasted little time addressing the wide receiver room in free agency, letting Chark walk away without a new deal, and acquiring Christian Kirk as well as Zay Jones. The team also brought back Laquon Treadwell who started 2021 on the practice squad but eventually came on towards the end of the year.
Many expect the Jags to continue to add to the position group through the draft as well. Since Jones is in the final year of his contract and Kirk may not be a true number one receiver, the organization may look to add a big-time receiving threat early in the draft. The player drafted would have the benefit of learning behind Jones and others this year as the coaching staff grooms him to eventually join the starting lineup.