Category: Collin Johnson

Jags depth chart prediction: Wide receiver

The Jags receiving corps got stronger after the draft and there is a lot that needs to be sorted out behind star D.J. Chark.

Earlier in the week, we started our depth chart projections for the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends all covered, here are our projections for the wide receivers position:

Projections to make the final 53-man roster

Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

WR1: D.J. Chark Jr.

D.J. Chark was the most improved player on the Jags’ roster without a doubt. He also proved to be their top receiver, becoming the first receiver since Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns (2015) to garner 1,000 receiving yards.

It didn’t matter who the quarterback was, Chark shined and received a Pro Bowl nod after making highlights after highlights. The crazy part is that he’s just scratching the surface and is only 23 years old.

WR2: Chris Conley

Chris Conley was one of the Jags’ veteran additions during the 2019 free-agency period and will enter 2020 as the Jags’ most experienced receiver as a sixth-year player. He had some issues with drops in 2019 but still managed to register 47 catches for 775 yards and five touchdowns.

As a new offensive coordinator to the Jags’ organization, Conley is a player I think Jay Gruden will be more than comfortable with as the No. 2 alongside Chark. However, it wouldn’t shock me if Laviska Shenalt received a lot of looks as the No. 2, too, but health is a concern with him and he’s also extremely raw.

WR3 (slot starter): Dede Westbrook

The Jags will roll out a lot of multiple receiver sets under Gruden and one can understand why when looking at the potential they have. Gruden has also been known to get a lot of production from the slot and that became clear when looking at the success of Jamison Crowder, who registered 221 passes for 2,628 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns throughout four seasons with Gruden and the Washington Redskins.

Westbrook is just as talented as Crowder and could serve the same role for Gruden’s offense in Jacksonville. After all, it’s where he’s flourished and his 2018 season is proof of that as all five of his touchdowns came from the slot.

WR4: Laviska Shenault Jr.

He was the Jags’ second-round addition of April’s draft and they have big-time plans for him. Shenault was extremely versatile while with Colorado playing as an exterior receiver, a slot receiver, running back, H-back, and as a wildcat quarterback.

Jags coach Doug Marrone says he’s already asked Shenault what kind of load he’s willing to take as a versatile weapon and the rookie is up for the challenge. That said, look for the Jags to be creative with Shenault while working him in slowly as an exterior receiver.

WR5: Keelan Cole

Having Keelan Cole as a No. 4 to No. 5 receiver on this roster is proof that the Jags at least have depth at receiver though the results may not be completely what fans want. He’ll enter the season with 1,600 career receiving yards, a 15.4 yard per catch average, and seven touchdowns.

With the depth chart now crowded Cole may have to see a lot of time on the field through special teams. It might be even wise to consider him in a returners role to protect the receivers further up the depth chart from injuries.

WR6: Collin Johnson

Collin Johnson was the second receiver drafted by the Jags in April’s draft as the team took him in the fifth round. At 6-foot-6, 222-pounds, there is a lot to be excited about with Johnson as he gives the Jags a massive jump-ball target to help Gardner Minshew II out.

There are questions as to if Johnson will be able to separate on the next level and he’ll also need to improve with breaking/sinking into his routes. However, if there is any receivers coach who could turn him into a solid pro it’s the Jags’ own Keenan McCardell.

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6 bold predictions for the Jags’ 2020 rookie class

The Jags are going to need a lot of production out of their rookie class and will even need some of them to overachieve to make the playoffs.

With the 2020 NFL Draft being over for several weeks, we’ve had some time to soak in the rookie class the Jacksonville Jaguars were able to put together. After fixing things in terms of the salary cap, the team wisely made all 12 of their draft selections which could give them a solid nucleus if a majority of their picks pay off.

Needless to say, with Dave Caldwell’s and Doug Marrone’s jobs potentially being on the line, they will need their 2020 class to produce immediately just as their 2019 class did. That said, we came up with four bold predictions for the class (including some for their undrafted players, too) as they have the talent to be big contributors for the franchise if there is football this season.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

C.J. Henderson acquires more picks than Jeff Okudah

Many scouts felt that C.J. Henderson was a better athlete than Jeff Okudah, though Okudah was clearly a better overall player. The comparison between the two will continue into their NFL careers as both were top-10 selections at the cornerback position.

When looking at the Jags’ schedule (ranked 22nd), it’s significantly easier than that Okudah will face as a rookie with the Detroit Lions (ranked fifth). It’s easy to see why as he’ll be tested early in his career facing receivers Davante Adams, Allen Robinson, and Adam Thielen twice in 2020 and will have to deal with the elite receivers from the NFC South in Julio Jones, Mike Evans, and Michael Thomas.

Meanwhile, Henderson could face up to two rookie quarterbacks in Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Joe Burrow. He’ll also have Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson wreacking havoc in the trenches and presenting him ample opportunities to snag some picks during his rookie season.

When the 2020 season is over, I could see Henderson snagging approximately four picks while Okudah may be off by one or two due to the experienced quarterbacks and receivers he’ll face.

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What the nation’s top analysts said about the 2020 Jaguars’ draft class

For the most part it looks like the nation’s journalists like what the Jags did in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft is in the books and it certainly has been one for the ages.

This year provided an interesting spin on the draft. Due to the social distancing guidelines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft was done virtually with the coaches and player personnel of all 32 teams making their selections from their respective homes. Once the picks were in NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell would then read them off from his home and the rest is history.

The new format didn’t deter viewers as the 2020 NFL Draft would go on to be the highest watched in history as Day 1 and Day 2 would go on to average 11.6 million views, according to Grant Gordon of NFL.com.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were a part of this historic affair as they put together a solid draft that could see them build very well towards the future. While some teams missed the mark with their selections, here is how the nation’s best draft analysts viewed the Jags draft.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com

Overall grade: A

“Jacksonville picked up two star SEC defenders (Henderson and Chaisson) to meet critical needs in the first round, then selected worthwhile prospects in the second (Shenault) and third rounds (Hamilton) to sew up a nice first two days of the draft. They started Day 3 with Bartch, who I thought was worthy of a top-75 selection. He plays with a nasty demeanor, and should be able to line up at tackle or, eventually, slide inside if needed. Scott provides more depth in the secondary. Quarterman’s just a great football player who will start in the middle at some point in his pro career (with the Jags or someone else). Thomas is a better athlete than football player at this point, and is likely a special teamer. Johnson is a nice outside complement to Shenault. Luton will compete for playing time if Gardner Minshew falters in 2020 and should at least be a solid backup in the league for a few years.”

Ryan Dunleavy, New York Post

Grade: A-

“Tear-down-and-rebuild of an elite defense starts with the two first-rounders. Shenault is a creative play-caller’s dream and Bartch is a high-ceiling developmental project.”

Mark Maske,  Washington Post

Grade: B+

“The Jaguars seem firmly in rebuilding mode, and they pushed that process along. They landed the draft’s second-best CB, CJ Henderson, and its second-best pass rusher, K’Lavon Chaisson, in the first round. They participated in the run on WRs with the second-round choice of Laviska Shenault Jr. About all that went wrong is that the Jaguars did not find a team willing to trade for RB Leonard Fournette or pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue.

Justin Leger of Yahoo Sports writes


Grade: B

 “Henderson is a perfect pick for Jacksonville after parting ways with Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. Combine that with Chaisson at No. 20, and those are two huge additions to the Jags defense. Taking Shenault on Day 2 filled another need at wide receiver, and Hamilton bolsters their run defense. One of the better picks for Jacksonville on Day 3 was Scott, another nice addition to the secondary. Overall, a busy and effective draft for a rebuilding Jaguars squad.”

Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com (grade on Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson)

Jacksonville Jaguars: B+

“I love him because he can cover. There are so many guys in the NFL that I talked to leading up to the draft that thought he was better than Okudah.”

Nate Davis, USA TODAY

Grade: C+

“Seems they’re building toward 2021 – Trevor Lawrence? – but nevertheless picked reputable players, including first-round CB C.J. Henderson, who should address a glaring need following Ramsey’s departure. Pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson (Round 1) – taken with a pick obtained for Ramsey – and WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (Round 2) could need a transition year, which isn’t a knock but adds to the feel that this club is in a weird limbo. Speaking of which, disgruntled DE Yannick Ngakoue remains.”

Overall, the media received the Jaguars selections very well which could be an encouraging sign for things to come. It has been a tumultuous few weeks in Jacksonville with disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue battling with management and numerous accusations of the organization tanking for current Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

However, the Jaguars can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they did a solid job putting together a good, young team that could potentially compete sooner than people may think.

Look: Here’s what Collin Johnson looks like in a Jags uniform

Ever wondered what Collin Johnson would look like in black and teal?

The Jacksonville Jaguars addition of Texas receiver Collin Johnson was arguably their biggest of Day 3. The young receiver was quite popular while with the Longhorns as he put together a solid collegiate career, totaling 188 catches for 2,624 career receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.

Just like Jags fans and NFL fans in general, his alma mater was pretty pumped about him being selected with the No. 165th selection. In fact, they were so excited they shared his new look as he’ll be turning in his burnt orange and white uniform for a black, teal, and white uniform in the pros.

Looks like it was meant to be if you ask me.

Johnson will come into a pretty solid receiving corps that includes Pro Bowler D.J. Chark, Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley, Keelan Cole, and second-round selection Laviska Shenault Jr. The hope for fans is that Shenault and Johnson can join Chark on the outside, which should allow the Jags to kick Westbrook back into the slot where he’s the most dangerous.

Highlights of every Jaguars selection in 2020 NFL draft

With the 2020 NFL Draft wrapped up, here are highlights of each selection.

Seven draftees on defense and five on offense. That’s the ratio the Jacksonville Jaguars finished with when all of their 2020 NFL Draft selections were made.

To open the draft on Day 1, the Jags selected two Southeastern Conference defenders in C.J. Henderson and K’Lavon Chaisson. On Day 2 they finally went offense by taking receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. but ended the day by going back to the defensive side with defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton.

In round four the acquired some help on the offensive line by selecting Ben Bartch, then closed the round with two more defensive selections in linebacker Shaq Quarterman and cornerback Josiah Scott. In round five they added a player on each side of the ball by taking safety Daniel Thomas, then receiver Collin Johnson.

In the sixth round, they finally went all offense by snagging quarterback Jake Luton and tight end Tyler Davis and their last selection, taking in round seven, was another defensive back in Chris Claybrooks.

Here’s a set of highlights for all 12 picks made by general manager Dave Caldwell on Thursday and the weekend:

1.9: CB C.J. Henderson, Florida

1.20: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson, Louisiana State

2.42: WR Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado

3.72: DT DaVon Hamilton, Ohio State

4.116: OL Ben Bartch, St. John

Jaguars select Texas WR Collin Johnson with pick No. 165

The Jags added another can’t miss target at receiver in Texas star Collin Johnson with the No. 165 overall pick.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars’ doubled-up at the cornerback position this week by adding both C.J. Henderson and Josiah Scott in the first and fourth rounds, respectively. They followed that trend with selection No. 165 by selecting Texas receiver Collin Johnson to pair with second-round pick Laviska Shenault Jr.

Coming into the draft process it was clear the Jags needed a big-target receiver to help convert the chains and garner jump balls, and similar to Shenault, Johnson can offer that. At 6-foot-6, 222-pounds, Johnson will be the tallest wide out on the Jags’ roster.

Johnson is coming off a 2019 season in which he missed time with a hamstring injury but started in seven games, registering 38 catches, 559 yards, and three touchdowns. Prior in 2018, he was able to register eight receptions for 985 yards, and seven touchdowns in 13 contests.

Per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, he was projected to be a sixth-round pick. In his overview, he stated that Johnson offered good ball skills alongside his size but felt he disappeared a little against elite competitors.

Productive outside receiver with great size and ball skills, but below-average speed. May need to find an offense that allows him to work downfield, where size overrides quickness once the ball is in the air. He missed a chunk of 2019 due to a lingering hamstring issue, but looked fairly pedestrian against LSU’s talented cornerbacks. He should work well against zone, but needs to play stronger to battle back against the contested catches he’s going to see. Johnson may need a more limited route-tree that allows him to open up his stride and exploit size mismatches down the field.

To help get the best out of Johnson, the Jags will put him in the hands of receivers coach Keenan McCardell, who has been a great teacher for the current group. When considering how much the team valued current Green Bay Packer receiver Allen Lazard, Johnson has a chance to stick as a red-zone target for Gardner Minshew II.