The Jacksonville Jaguars have drafted their share of receivers over the last five years and some have worked out, while others haven’t. One of those who has been the most puzzling to figure out is former receiver Dede Westbrook, who saw a significant decline in play time last season and ended his time with the Jags with an unfortunate ACL injury Week 7 against Los Angeles.
However, since free agency has started, Westbrook has received a good amount of interest, and once late June arrives, he’ll be eight months removed from his injury. Earlier in the month it was revealed that the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Minnesota Vikings all had some type of interest, but it appears another team has joined the mix. That team is the San Francisco 49ers, who’ve seeming been looking at help at receiver this offseason, and recently signed former Jags Marqise Lee for a brief period.
Dede Westbrook (ACL) is expecting 2b fully cleared to participate in football activities by the 8-month mark, per source. He incurred the injury Oct. 25th last season, had surgery in Nov. There's been preliminary communication b/w Westbrook & the #49ers not too long ago as well.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) May 24, 2021
With the most significant part of free agency over with, it makes sense that teams would start taking chances on a player like Westbrook, who is coming off a significant injury, but has proven to be a playmaker on occasions. Bright offensive minds like Kyle Shanahan and Andy Reid could especially give Westbrook a chance at a resurgence, and as the season gets closer, it appears he’ll have a decision to make.
Westbrook will enter the season with 160 catches for 1,720 career receiving yards and nine touchdowns. His best season came in 2017, where he was able to haul in 66 catches for 717 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also could help a team as a returner with 47 punt returns for 461 yards and a touchdown to his name.