The Jacksonville Jaguars were far from aggressive spenders in free agency last offseason despite possessing the most salary-cap space in the entire league, but they did add a handful of guys who were expected to be major contributors. Players like Marvin Jones Jr., Shaquill Griffin, and Roy Robertson-Harris all had varying levels of efficacy this year, but none of them had the biggest impact among the new additions.
That honor goes to receiver and return specialist Jamal Agnew, according to NFL Network’s Nick Shook, who listed Agnew as Jacksonville’s unsung hero in 2021. The former Detroit Lion was brought in as a returner, but with D.J. Chark Jr.’s season ending prematurely with a broken ankle, Agnew saw some snaps on offense before suffering a season-ending injury himself.
Agnew didn’t play a full season and didn’t see a massive volume of touches in 2021, but he was certainly explosive, reaching 15-plus miles per hour on 22 special teams touches (tied for the 12th-most such occurrences in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats). Agnew found the end zone in three different scenarios — as a rusher, a receiver and a returner — and provided sparks for the talent-poor Jaguars in a difficult season.
Agnew scored twice on returns, once on a kick return in Week 2 and again on a kick-six the following week. In the passing game, he totaled 229 yards and a touchdown on 24 catches. His addition was often overlooked this past offseason, but the converted corner had to do it all for the Jags this season.
His return in 2022 should shore up Jacksonville’s return game, but it will also give the team an option at receiver if things get desperate once again.