Jaguars WR Marvin Jones is ‘class act’ and ‘great leader’

The 2021 season is one the Jacksonville Jaguars would surely like to forget but there were few bright spots amid the chaos and the dysfunction. One of them was wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr., who was one of the Jags’ best players last year and is poised to once again have a big role in 2022. So what does head coach Doug Pederson think of the veteran wideout? He’s a class act and someone young players look up to and respect.

Pederson met with the local media and discussed several topics, including why Jacksonville is confident Trevor Lawrence will make a leap in Year 2 and also Jones’ influence on the team.

“Marvin’s just a class act”, the head coach said. “A great vet in the room, there’s a lot of young guys in that room, when you’re thinking about the Tim Jones is in there and now some of the young practice squad players and just he can be such an impact on those players on how he handles his business. And just a great leader with the entire team. It’s a reason why the players respect him and look up to him and because of what he’s done in the league”.

Jones signed a two-year deal with the Jaguars last offseason. He was projected to be the No. 2 receiver opposite DJ Chark Jr. but he became Jacksonville’s top target when Chark went down with an ankle fracture in Week 4.

Without more viable options in the Jags’ passing game, opposing teams often zeroed in on Jones but he still managed to lead the team with 73 receptions for 832 yards with four touchdowns. Here’s Pederson’s conference with the media. He starts discussing Jones at the 0:48 mark.

Marvin Jones Jr. will still have an important role on the Jaguars offense

Jones was named team captain in 2021 but he didn’t get the honor this year. Nevertheless, he still has a big influence in the Jaguars’ locker room. Sure, the C looks great in the jersey but players won’t stop looking up to him just because he no longer has it.

With Christian Kirk and Zay Jones joining the Jags’ offense, Jones will no longer be the top option in the passing game. However, he should face more favorable matchups with Kirk and Jones drawing coverage away from him. While Jones might not have as many catches as he had last year, there’s a chance he will finish the 2022 season with more touchdowns.

After all, the Jags ranked last in the league in points scored last year but they should be able to move the ball more effectively, which will lead to more scoring opportunities for Jones and his teammates.

Jones is slated to become a free agent next offseason but his impact on and off the field could make it difficult for the Jaguars’ brass to move on from him.