DJ Chark Jr. has been a fan favorite and top player for the Jacksonville Jaguars since he was drafted by the team in 2018 and will be coming up on an important season in 2021. The reason for that is because it’s a contract year for him and marks the last year of his rookie deal. As a result, fans have been banging the table for him to be extended this spring, which would make him a Jaguar long term.
Like the fans, it appears ESPN’s Kevin Seifert understands Chark’s talent level and believes he’s already achieved a lot at such a young age. As a result, he listed Chark 20th on his way-too-early top-20 list of free agents for next season.
This one is a bit of a projection. But it’s worth noting when a Jaguars receiver produces a 1,000-yard season and earns a Pro Bowl berth at age 23, as Chark did in 2019 with then-rookie Gardner Minshew II at quarterback. Chark is likely to be playing with a rookie quarterback again in 2021, but there is a lot of upside here.
It’s easy to see why Seifert would say that Chark’s ranking is a bit of a projection as he’s only had one 1,000-yard season and he’ll be enduring a change at quarterback in April. Of course, that change is likely to bring in Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence behind center, who has the tools to get Chark back on track and paid like a top receiver.
If Lawrence puts together a season similar to that of Justin Herbert last season, that probably means Chark had a solid season. That also will put Urban Meyer and Trent Baalke in a position where they would have to pay him (if they don’t this season), but it’s a price both should be willing to take care of.