The Jags have one of their top receivers from 2019 as a healthy scratch to start 2020.
The Jacksonville Jaguars released their list of inactives for Week 1’s season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. The most notable name to surface on the list was that of receiver Dede Westbrook, who is a healthy scratch despite being third in receiving yards last season with 660 yards.
Many may be puzzled by the Jags’ decision to not have Westbrook on the active roster, however, their young receivers showed a lot of promise when he missed time in camp with a shoulder injury. In addition to rookie receivers Laviska Shenault and Collin Johnson flashing, Keelan Cole wasn’t far behind D.J. Chark Jr. performance wise, which says a lot.
On defense, the notable name to surface was Cassius Marsh. He flashed at times during camp and offers the Jags a decent option to rush the passer. Then again, maybe they needed to go with more help on the offensive side with injuries affecting the running back and tight end positions.
The Colts and Jags will be duking out Week 1 and plenty near Jacksonville and Indianapolis will be able to watch.
The Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 season is almost here as the team will kickoff their campaign at home against the Indianapolis Colts. The game will be one of 10 that will start at 1 P.M. EST on Sunday, Sept. 12.
Per 506 Sports, those in the teal shaded area below will be able to catch the action as the game will be aired on CBS.
This week, there will be some familiar faces calling the game in Spero Dedes (play-by-play) and Adam Archuleta (color commentary).
The Jags are largely viewed as underdogs this week, however, one thing they have going in their favor is that they beat the Colts in their last meeting by a score of 38-20, which was the 2019 season finale. In the meeting before that (Week 10), the Colts were able to win handily by a score of 33-13.
Since their last meeting both teams have made some upgrades. In the Jags case, they leaned towards the defense a little more than the offense, landing players like Joe Schobert, C.J. Henderson, and K’Lavon Chaisson in the offseason.
On offense, Gardner Minshew II will have some new weapons at receiver in Laviska Shenault Jr., Collin Johnson, and Tyler Eifert. The Jags will also be giving undrafted running back James Robinson the nod to start, too, after the team waived Leonard Fournette recently.
The Jags added to players to their list of players to sit out of practice Tuesday in LB Dakota Allen and safety Daniel Thomas.
The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they would be having two additional players missing Tuesday’s practice session. Those two players were linebacker Dakota Allen and safety Daniel Thomas due to hip and hamstring injuries, respectively.
The Jags also announced that Taven Bryan (knee bruise), Dede Westbrook (shoulder), and Quincy Williams (core muscle) would continue to miss time, too.
Dede Westbrook, Taven Bryan, Quincy Williams still out… Chaisson scheduled day off. Dakota Allen (hip), Daniel Thomas (hamstring) being held out today as well. @ActionSportsJax@ESPN690Jax
Allen, 24, was a player who many expected to see more snaps with Williams out, however, it will be up to someone else to step up as a reserve weak-side linebacker behind Myles Jack. Some potential candidates to do that could be second-year linebacker Joe Giles-Harris or undrafted rookie Nate Evans.
Thomas, 22, was drafted by the Jags in the fifth-round of April’s draft out of Auburn. Some (including us) thought it was a possibility he could’ve pushed for a starting role, however, his injury is one that could hinder that. Still, even if he misses significant time, the Jags have depth at safety behind starters Ronnie Harrison and Jarrod Wilson as Andrew Wingard, Josh Jones, and J.R. Reed are behind them on the depth chart.
ESPN’s Todd McShay released his mock for the 2021 NFL Draft. Unsurprisingly, wideout Charleston Rambo made the cut for the first round.
It appears that OU’s first-round receiver streak isn’t over yet.
ESPN’s Todd McShay released his latest mock for the 2021 NFL Draft on Wednesday. Perhaps unsurprisingly, wideout Charleston Rambo made the cut for the first round.
Todd McShay has Charleston Rambo going #⃣3⃣1⃣ in his latest Mock Draft.
"Rambo broke out a bit for Oklahoma in 2019, with 43 catches for 743 yards and five scores despite being a secondary option to CeeDee Lamb."
Rambo would be OU’s third consecutive wideout taken in the first round. That feat has only been accomplished one time since the AFL-NFL merger (Tennessee, 1982-84).
“Rambo broke out a bit for Oklahoma in 2019, with 43 catches for 743 yards and five scores despite being a secondary option to CeeDee Lamb,” said McShay.
Not only will Rambo be stepping into the forefront as OU’s primary receiver in 2020, he’ll likely be doing so from the Z slot. Riley is known for consistently threatening to take the top off the defense via his past Z receivers, such as Dede Westbrook and Marquise Brown.
The Z slot is a natural fit for Rambo’s speed and acceleration package. NFLDraftScout lists the Cedar Hill, TX. native for a 4.48 40-yard-dash. In 2018, Alabama’s defenders learned first-hand just how quickly Rambo can get behind a secondary.
Charleston Rambo showed he's going to be a factor next season when he replaced Marquise Brown in the second half against Alabama.
With the Jags losing many of its leaders this offseason, D.J. Chark says he wants to step up and fill the voids left by former veterans.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ locker-room will look significantly different in terms of leaders in 2020. Playmakers like Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, Marcell Dareus, and Nick Foles are all now with other teams, which means a new group of young stars will now have to step up.
With a clear understanding of this, third-year receiver D.J. Chark has come into 2020 with a leader’s mindset after a phenomenal season where he was the first Jags pass-catcher since 2015 to register 1,000 yards and went to the Pro Bowl as a result. When looking at those accolades it’s obvious the talent is there, but Chark came into training camp wanting to also be a role model for the Jags’ extremely young team.
Chark also came into camp understanding that he’s a face for the franchise, which means he has to emphasize winning to his teammates.
“I feel like this city, this team, deserves something to look forward to,” Chark said to the media on Friday. “That first starts with me as being a guy that’s trying to be there for my teammates, trying to get the right energy going. We are very young, so now I am kind of forced out of the shadows to speak a little more. At the end of the day, we just want to win, that’s what we are here for. Win, play football, and that’s really the mindset of talking to my teammates and learning this new playbook. There are no excuses once we get out there on gameday. We have to get it in now.”
This is certainly music to the ears of Jags fans who’ve only witnessed one winning season under Shad Khan (2017). At the same time, Chark’s mindset shouldn’t surprise many after he came from a Louisiana State Tigers program that had great success.
Alongside veteran Chris Conley, Dede Westbrook, and Keelan Cole, Chark will also be tasked with leading a receivers group that added two draft picks in Laviska Shenault Jr. and Collin Johnson. Of course, the group hasn’t had a problem with taking the young pair under their wings and Chark spoke highly of both Friday.
“After we got them [in the draft], I went to look at them [on film] a little bit, I was able to meet them this summer,” said Chark. “They were willing to come out here early and get some work in with me, the other receivers, the quarterbacks, and I was able to build a bond with them. They work hard, and they are great people as well. I think that is something that we need to continue to add to this team, just hard workers, people who want to come in and win games. One goal for me is to help those guys have a better rookie year than I did.”
It certainly would be huge for the offense if either rookie made a significant contribution as the offense had trouble scoring in 2019. As for Chark, it appears he’s ready to take another step himself and it wouldn’t be shocking if he bested his 2019 numbers with more familiarity with Gardner Minshew II.
The NFL will be adopting many new protocols for the 2020 season and not allowing postgame jersey swaps will be among them, per report.
In recent times fans have grown accustomed to seeing our favorite players greet each other after games and some even participate in the tradition of swapping jerseys. This is something we’ve seen Jacksonville Jaguars notables like Leonard Fournette, Dede Westbrook, and Gardner Minshew II take part in as they switch jerseys with former college teammates or old friends in general.
Unfortunately, that will be a postgame tradition that the league will be forbidding in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, players also will be forbidden from having postgame interactions within six feet of each other, too.
NFL teams will be forbidden from postgame interactions within 6 feet of each other and jersey exchanges between players will be prohibited during the 2020 season, sources say.
Another way the NFL will look different in the COVID-19 world.
As pointed out by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, this protocol is one most fans feel is puzzling when considering the players will be in contact with each other during the game. Then again, it wouldn’t be the first puzzling decision made by the league.
This is a perfect example of NFL thinking in a nutshell. Players can go engage in a full contact game and do it safely. However, it is deemed unsafe for them to exchange jerseys after said game. 😂🤣😂 https://t.co/fWefsUSVDc
Eliminating postgame interaction is just one of many protocols that were brought to the light Thursday. It was also reported that the media will be banned from the locker rooms while on-the-field fan seating will be prohibited. Additionally, team travels to the stadium will only be allowed via bus.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport also added a report to the protocols which Pelissero revealed, stating that everyone will have to wear masks on the sidelines aside from coaches.
The ban on postgame jersey exchanges was included in NFL-NFLPA game-day protocols that clubs received last night. Other notable changes for 2020:
Other game day protocols: Coaches and players won’t be required to wear masks on the sidelines. Everyone else in the bench does have to wear a mask. https://t.co/ovKPcCwaD9
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.
With the additions made to the Jags’ roster, Cam Robinson is just one of several offensive guys who could make tremendous strides in 2020.
The Jacksonville Jaguars as a whole must improve as 2018-19 has left fans beyond disappointed. If they are to make progress, their offense especially will need to make strides because we’re now at a day and age where the most successful teams are the ones that put up a lot of points.
After finishing 26th offensively last season (with an average of 18.8 points per game), the front office knew adjustments had to be made, and while they catered to the offense more, they certainly didn’t leave the defense hanging. Now, it will be a matter of putting it all together during the offseason and preseason, then letting their work speak in the regular season.
The new acquisitions made to the team shouldn’t only help the Jags improve offensively, but they should also help some of the key players from the 2019 unit get better, too. Here are four names we think will take a step forward in 2020 thanks to the additions made by the front office:
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
QB Gardner Minshew II
While the Jags didn’t add a starter on the offensive line for Gardner Minshew II (unless Ben Bartch replaces someone), he could still take a big step forward. The reason for that is because the Jags might be right to gamble on the offensive line taking a step forward after spending a lot of investments into the unit.
The other key reason Minshew could flourish is because of the pass-catching options the Jags added. Granted he will have to stay healthy, Laviska Shenault Jr. could be a solid No. 2 receiver who alleviates the pressure off of Pro Bowler D.J. Chark Jr.
The other key pass-catchers that will be added into the mix are tight ends Tyler Eifert, who also needs to stay healthy, Josh Oliver, and James O’Shaughnessy. Eifert, a former Pro Bowler, knows the system better than anyone at the moment as he played under coordinator Jay Gruden in Cincinnati.
Meanwhile, O’Shaughnessy was Minshew’s favorite target early in the 2019 season before going on injured reserve, while Oliver built a strong bond with him in training camp. If they can pick up where they left off, it would be huge for the second-year quarterback.
The bigger question is rather or not the progress Minshew makes is significant enough to prevent the Jags from taking a quarterback early next year. In a recent episode of the “Bleav in Jags” podcast, I personally said Minshew needs to look like a top-12 quarterback or better to prevent the Jags from finding another starter.
If he doesn’t and the Jags find themselves in the top-10 of the draft order again, they definitely should explore options in the draft. If he does, and they are still in the top-10, picks it would probably be better if they continued forward with him and spent their draft pick elsewhere.
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.
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.
