Jaguars roster: 3 takeaways from the Laviska Shenault trade to Panthers

2. The depth at receiver allowed the Jaguars to trade Laviska Shenault

This writer saw wide receiver as one of the Jaguars’ strongest position groups ahead of the 2022 season. Not because it was among the best in the league but rather because of its depth, which was on display when they released Laquon Treadwell and later traded Laviska Shenault Jr.

The Jags didn’t pay a premium for Christian Kirk and Zay Jones to keep them on the bench. Given the size of the contract they both signed, they are expected to take on big roles in 2022. Moreover, the two of them have developed a nice rapport with Trevor Lawrence over the last few months. Meanwhile, Shenault mostly got second-team reps in training camp, which was an early sign that he was tumbling down the depth chart.

Then, there’s the return of Marvin Jones Jr. and Jamal Agnew. The former led the Jags in catches with 73 for 832 yards with four touchdowns last year while the latter because a key cog on offense before suffering a season-ending hip injury. Kirk, the two Joneses, and Agnew got the four top spots on the depth chart. Furthermore, Shenault was going to have trouble getting snaps in 2022 with the emergence of Tim Jones in the preseason.

Jones hauled in three catches for 103 receiving yards against the Atlanta Falcons and finished the preseason with 14 receptions for 219 yards. The Jaguars’ brass probably liked his potential and saw him as a better fit than Shenault.