It’s that time of the year where media publications around the nation start producing their own top-100 NFL players lists, which typically includes a couple of members from the Jacksonville Jaguars. That was the case for Pete Prisco’s list which was released this week via CBS Sports.
This year, Prisco had two Jaguars on the list who aren’t even 24 yet in edge rusher Josh Allen and receiver D.J. Chark Jr.
88.) Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars, LB –This is an emerging player who should be higher on this list next year. As a rookie, he had 10.5 sacks to lead all rookies.
98.) D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars, WR – In his second season, he emerged as a big-play threat outside for the Jaguars. He had 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns. As the offense improves, his numbers will go up.
While the Jags may not have an elite roster, this goes to show fans that they have a good young nucleus in place. Sometimes Pro Bowl nominations aren’t quite what fans hype them up to be, but in the cases for Allen and Chark, their selections into the all-star game were certainly validated.
Allen was a player who fell in the Jags’ lap last year in the first-round but clearly should’ve been gone. After the Jags snagged him and had him under the wing of Calais Campbell, he was able to set the rookie sack record for the team and was in the running for defensive rookie of the year. Over time he’ll only get better and the mental side of the game will come more naturally as the argument could be made he produced in 2019 mostly off of his physical abilities.
As for Chark, his 2019 season was a huge step ahead of his rookie campaign. In 2018 he wasn’t able to produce all that much, accumulating only 14 catches for 174 receiving yards. However, things clearly slowed down for him last year and the addition of Jay Gruden should only propel his career, even more, heading forward.