The 2016 season has come to an end and it is time to take stock of what has been a rather disappointing year for the Jacksonville Jaguars. While there were many moments throughout the year which were, to put it nicely, uncomfortable to watch, there were some bright spots throughout this young roster this year. As the Jaguars department at Last Word On Pro Football does it’s best to evaluate the Jaguars, today the wide receivers are under the microscope.
Jacksonville Jaguars End of Season Evaluation: Wide Receivers
As a whole, the receiving core was generally disappointing for the Jaguars in 2016. The top two receivers from 2015, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns saw a major dip in production. The duo combined for over 2,400 yards a season ago, but failed to eclipse 1,400 this year.
The blame isn’t entirely on the young receivers, however, as quarterback Blake Bortles didn’t match the success he had in 2015, either. The one positive to come out of the wide receiver position was the emergence of Marqise Lee. The former USC Trojan was finally able to stay relatively healthy for a full season and showed exactly what he’s capable of being. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how each Jaguars wideout fared in 2016.
Allen Robinson
Robinson was the Jaguars’ leading receiver for the second season in a row. However, he never really seemed to get things rolling. The third-year receiver saw his production dip quite a bit this year, as he had 517 fewer yards and eight fewer touchdowns than he did in his breakout 2015 season. Further infuriating Jaguars faithful, he struggled badly with drops at times during the season.
2016 was a year to forget for Robinson, and he’ll look to have a bounce back season under the new regime next season. One positive for Robinson was that he performed much better with Doug Marrone at the helm, producing two of his best three games in the final two weeks of the season.
Allen Hurns
Hurns played in only eight complete games for the Jaguars and struggled with injuries throughout the season. When he was on the field, the former undrafted free agent was solid, but not spectacular. It’s hard to imagine that the Jaguars envisioned Hurns only getting in the end zone three times when they gave him a four-year, $40 million contract before the season. Like Robinson, Hurns will undoubtedly be out for redemption and to prove that he is still a key cog in this offense next season.
Marqise Lee
Lee was the only member of the receiving core to exceed expectations this year. After two injury-riddled seasons, Lee managed to stay healthy and produce the best season of his career in 2016. After Hurns went down, Lee started across from Robinson and held his own as the number two receiver. Lee’s 851 receiving yards were the second best total on the team. The speedster also added three receiving touchdowns, a kickoff return touchdown, and a passing touchdown. Moving forward, assuming Lee stays healthy, he’ll remain a big part of the offense.
The Other Guys
- Bryan Walters produced some solid play for the Jaguars, particularly late in the season. The reliable slot receiver caught 24 balls and a couple of touchdowns, as well as taking over as the team’s punt returner late in the season.
- Arrelious Benn produced one of the best plays of the season, and his only touchdown, on a 51-yard go ahead score in Chicago. Aside from that play, Benn had a pretty quiet season, performing admirably as a run blocker and special teams contributor, but only registering five catches on the season.
- Rashad Greene entered the year in a competition with Lee to be the third receiver. Greene’s season went in the opposite direction of Lee’s however, as he struggled with fumbles and staying healthy. The former Seminole struggled as both a receiver and returner with the Jaguars this season. Greene once looked like a bright, young player for the Jags, but he may find himself fighting for a roster spot in 2017.
Overall Wide Receiver Grade
The emergence of Marqise Lee keeps this from being a failing grade, but as a whole, the receiving corps didn’t have a strong season. Taking into account Blake Bortles’ inconsistencies and Gus Bradley‘s struggles, the blame doesn’t fall entirely on the receivers. Overall, I will give the group a C. There were still bright spots, but everything about the pass catchers this season just felt average.
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