The Jags’ 2021 free-agency class is full of receivers including Dede Westbrook and Chris Conley. Who could they end up keeping though?
With the football season slowly approaching, Jags Wire contributor Phil Smith and I recorded yet another episode of the “Bleav in Jags Podcast.”
We started this week’s episode off discussing the latest in preseason and training camp news as the league announced that the preseason would be cut in half. Additionally, we discussed the contract signing of DaVon Hamilton and where he fits in the Jaguars plans heading forward.
Afterward, we discussed the latest on defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who reportedly hasn’t changed his stance about wanting to be traded. With the deadline coming up, we also discussed the possibility of trading him to the Cleveland Browns for David Njoku as proposed by ESPN recently.
Lastly, we tackled our main topic, which was a preview of the Jags’ 2021 free-agency class. With several notable names on the list, we gave our analysis on who could stay or go with notables like Leonard Fournette, Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, and more on the last years of their deals.
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.
To the surprise of many, the Jacksonville Jaguars elected to use all 12 of their 2020 draft picks, which in return could revamp their roster with the young nucleus they seek. Ultimately, time will tell exactly how many players from the class make …
To the surprise of many, the Jacksonville Jaguars elected to use all 12 of their 2020 draft picks, which in return could revamp their roster with the young nucleus they seek. Ultimately, time will tell exactly how many players from the class make the cut but there certainly will be a veteran or two who gets the boot over a rookie who the Jags may feel have a lot of upside.
ESPN’s Ben Barnwell recently took a look at all 32 teams and evaluated veterans who could be released as a result of each draft class. With the Jags taking two receivers in Laviska Shenault Jr. and Collin Johnson, he listed Keelan Cole as the player who he felt was in danger of a release or trade in the future.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide receiver Keelan Cole
Cole had an impressive rookie season as an undrafted free agent in 2017, but he has fallen down the depth chart as Dede Westbrook and DJ Chark have emerged. Jacksonville drafted Laviska Shenault Jr. in the second round and Collin Johnson in the fifth, leaving Cole to compete with veteran Chris Conley for a roster spot.
The Jaguars handed Cole a second-round restricted tender at $3.3 million, but that contract is unguaranteed, and Conley played ahead of Cole last season. One of the two is likely to leave, and the additional cash savings makes it slightly more likely Cole is that guy.
Cole is a player who has provided Jags fans with a lot of memories over the years and made plays early in his tenure when he was higher on the depth chart. However, with the Jags trying to find out what they have in Dede Westbrook and adding D.J. Chark Jr. and Chris Conley since Cole joined the organization, the youngster just simply got pushed down the depth chart.
As a result of the Jags’ additions over time, he saw his snap count take a huge plummet from 2018 to 2019 as he went from 687 to 370. By adding in two rookies, one could see why Barnwell would have a hard time seeing Cole remain on the team.
However, despite the newest additions this past weekend, fans shouldn’t be so quick to write off Cole for many reasons. One of those reasons is Shenault’s health as many would point to the issue as the reason he fell to the Jags in Round 2, to begin with.
Over the past two seasons, he’s been through a lot as far as injuries go and missed three games in 2018 with a toe injury and also played through a torn labrum, both of which required surgery. He also had to have surgery to fix a core injury this offseason. When taking this all into consideration, fans should be concerned whether or not Shenault will see the field for all of the Jags’ upcoming 16 regular season games.
As for Johnson, he was limited to just seven games as a senior with a hamstring injury. Like Shenault, that probably played a role in him falling a little lower than expected in this month’s draft.
When taking into account the health of both Johnson and Shenault, Cole should be able to make the team this season although his offensive snap count could diminish. It also helps that the Jags have traditionally taken six receivers into the regular season under Doug Marrone and that Cole offers value on special teams, too.
The Jags handed out a few tenders Tuesday and Keelan Cole was one of the players to receive one.
As we predicted, the Jacksonville Jaguars placed a second-round tender on pending restricted free agent Keelan Cole Tuesday.
Per source, the #Jaguars have applied a 2nd-round RFA tender to WR Keelan Cole, who has posted 104 career receptions for 1,600 yards and 7 TDs in three seasons in Jacksonville.
Cole, 26, has been with the Jags since 2017 when he signed with the team as an undrafted free agent out of Kentucky Wesleyan. Over the span of his time with the Jags, he’s managed to accumulate 104 catches, 1,600 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.
With the tender, another team still could try and sign Cole. However, if the Jags aren’t willing to match the offer that team would have to give the Jags a second-round pick. If Cole plays under the tender for the Jags it would pay him $3.25 million, which is a nice pay raise from the undrafted contract he was previously playing on.
Second-round tender for WR Keelan Cole pays him $3.25 million in 2020. He got little work in first half of last season (one target and one catch in first six games) but caught 37 passes in final 10. Handled KO returns in finale (110 yards on three… https://t.co/MJYj5Erxsa
With the Jags set to potentially release receiver Marqise Lee as a cap casualty, the move to keep Cole was a smart one as he could be bumped up on the depth chart. In addition to Lee, he’ll now join D.J. Chark, Chris Conley, and Dede Westbrook as players who will enter the 2020 season with at least one year on the roster.
With the league’s 2019 deadline coming up, the Jacksonville Jaguars have some decisions to make on who they will allow to hit the open market. In total, they currently have 21 players with contracts that will expire on March 18 at 4:00 p.m. ET. …
With the league’s 2019 deadline coming up, the Jacksonville Jaguars have some decisions to make on who they will allow to hit the open market. In total, they currently have 21 players with contracts that will expire on March 18 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Amongst their group of free agents will be two restricted free agents in receiver Keelan Cole and linebacker Donald Payne. What this basically means is that both players have basically garnered three accrued seasons and can be offered a tender by the Jags. At that point, they can either sign it or sit out, limiting their options, unlike an unrestricted free agent. Another team can also shoot the player an offer, but would have to give up draft compensation based on the tender the player is designated to if he original team doesn’t match the offer.
Due to the production over the 2019 season, fans should expect both back as depth pieces for the final 53-man roster. In the case of Cole, it wouldn’t be shocking for the Jags to utilize a second-round tender on him, which would mean a team would have to give the Jags a second-round pick if the Jags aren’t willing to match an opposing offer. The reason for that is because he could garner a lot of interest from teams. Additionally, if the Jags release receiver Marqise Lee as many expect, they might need Cole as he’s been with the team since 2017.
The Jags used the second-round tender back in 2018 with running back Corey Grant, which made it easy to keep his services. Back then the second-round tender was worth $2.914 million, but with the price tag increasing over time, it would be slightly more now.
As for Payne, the Jags should definitely bring him back as they need depth at the linebacker position, which is arguably their worst unit as it is. He started in five games and accumulated 61 tackles. Due to him being a low-key player, the Jags might elect to tender him without there being any draft compensation connected.
The players who are scheduled to become exclusive rights free-agents include running back Devante Mays, offensive lineman Brandon Thomas, linebackers Austin Calitro and James Onwualu. Unlike restricted free-agents, these players have garnered less than three accrued seasons. They too can negotiate with other teams, however, their original team can retain them with a one-year contract that pays the league’s minimum. This is also based on the player’s credited seasons.
It wouldn’t cost the Jags much to retain all of their exclusive-rights players but Calitro is the most interesting for the same reasons mentioned with Payne. He started in four games and accumulated 40 tackles and the Jags could want to retain him for that experience alone.
Ultimately, time will tell what direction the Jags go with their restricted free agents but expect them to start shooting their offers within a week or so because the new league year is closing in.
Revisit the highlights from the Jaguars’ final game of the decade as they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 38-20.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are heading into the offseason on a high note with a decisive 38-20 win over their AFC South rivals: the Indianapolis Colts. The Jaguars had a disappointing season in 2019, but Gardner Minshew and company decided to make one last statement as the team rallied in the second half to upset the 7-8 Colts.
Lets revisit the highlights for the final game of the decade:
The game started out in favor of the Colts as they quickly struck first with a field goal, but Jaguars’ kicker Josh Lambo quickly answered with one of his own. After a Colts touchdown and a second Jaguars field goal from Lambo, the Jaguars found the end zone on a 14-yard pitch and catch from Gardner Minshew to Keelan Cole.
The Colts quickly rallied to score 10 more points, retaking the lead 20-13. However, after that point, it was all Duval. Jacksonville fired back with a bomb of a kick from Lambo, nailing a 56-yard field goal to end the half, still trailing 20-16. We all need a hero, and for Jacksonville, no player has answered that call more so than Lambo.
In the second half, Jacksonville started right where they left off and never let off the gas pedal. With Fournette out with the flu, back-up halfback Ryquell Armstead stepped up and filled the void admirably. In the third quarter, Armstead helped Jacksonville retake the lead catching a 3-yard touchdown from Minshew.
After taking a 24-20 lead, the Jaguars pinned Indianapolis deep in their own territory, and as Ngakoue often does, the premier pass-rusher forced a fumble that cemented the Jaguars’ victory.
Sunday’s win was fun due to the fact that the Jags’ franchise is in an awkward place in time. The team has developing young stars in place like D.J. Chark Jr., Tre Herndon, and Josh Allen to build around. With the right men at the helm, this franchise has all it needs to return to glory.
The Jags will look to end a season with a bang and so will Josh Allen, who they will need to have a strong day behind Yannick Ngakoue.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be looking to close the season with a bang against the Indianapolis Colts for Doug Marrone, who may be coaching in his last game with the team. With the Jags being without several key starters and entering the game as underdogs, they will need some significant contributions from some of their non-starters.
Here are two X-factors on the offensive and defensive sides who could aid the Jags to a win Week 17:
DE/LB Josh Allen
Josh Allen has had a phenomenal rookie season and should be heavily considered for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has the chance to close the season strong and further make his case as Nick Bosa has overshadowed him despite having similar success.
Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett has the tendency to hold on to the ball too long on occasions, and when he does, the Jags pass-rush have to make him pay. That shouldn’t be and issue for Allen, who registered a sack and two tackles against the Colts in the last meeting between these two teams.
WR Keelan Cole
The Jaguars could be down two receivers against the Colts as Michael Walker (hamstring) was ruled out on the final injury report and Dede Westbrook (neck/shoulder) is listed as questionable. That could leave the Jags with just four active receivers in DJ Chark Jr., Chris Conley, C.J. Board, and the ultimate opportunist, Keelan Cole.
Cole hasn’t necessarily received a lot of opportunities, but when he’s been called upon, he’s stepped up totaling 21 receptions for 294 yards and two touchdowns on the season. With the lack of scorers on the team, Chark not being 100% and the Colts’ pass defense being mediocre at best, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cole step up like he did against the Oakland Raiders a few weeks ago and lead the team in receptions.
The Jags will need Keelan Cole to step up and be an X-factor for them against the Raiders because DJ Chark won’t be able to take the field.
The 2019 NFL season has almost come to a conclusion as Week 15 has arrived.
For some teams, they are solidifying their draft position in hopes of finding that franchise piece. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, they will look to see what pieces they currently have to build towards next season.
The Jaguars will look to do that against the Oakland Raiders who will be playing their final game at RingCentral Coliseum. The Jaguars will hope to finish strong from a miserable season where they are well out of the playoff race and will possibly look at making some drastic changes in the offseason.
The players will look to lock down their positions on the job as some may face some uncertainty about their future. A good showing against the Raiders could help management make those decisions easier.
Here are the Jaguars X-factors for their Week 15 matchup against the Oakland Raiders:
WR Keelan Cole
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
With star wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. ruled OUT due to an ankle injury, a player on the receivers corps like Keelan Cole will be asked to take on a more pivotal role.
Cole has been in a premier position before with the team, once leading the team in receiving yards in 2017. With Dede Westbrook also less than 100% with a shoulder injury, Keelan Cole will be called upon to make an impact in the vertical passing game. He has a skill-set that is similar to Chark as he is best used as a deep threat receiver that can stretch the defense.
Cole’s best game came against the Houston Texans in Week 9 when he caught five balls for 80 yards. Those numbers look very attainable for a receiver of his skill and position in this matchup.
CB Tre Herndon
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
The secondary has been in shambles lately but Jaguars cornerback Tre Herndon has shown some flashes. Herndon was limited early in the week with a shoulder ailment but will be good to go against the Raiders and will add a sense of stability to the coverage team.
The Raiders don’t have the strongest wide receiver corps as they only rank No. 20 in the NFL in receiving and most of the production has come from tight end Darren Waller.
This is the kind of game that is perfect for Herndon as he is perfectly capable of guarding the Raiders receivers, especially without ascending star Hunter Renfrow, who will miss the rest of the season due to a rib injury.
I predict a six tackle game with an interception for Herndon.
