Jacksonville Jaguars: Expectations for Allen Hurns in 2015

By Tyler Spinnenweber | Jul 30, 2015

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns burst onto the scene last season as an undrafted rookie. Hurns made a name for himself immediately in Week 1 vs. the Philadelphia Eagles where he caught four passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in his NFL debut. Hurns would later get nominated for NFL rookie of the week, but was beaten out by Kelvin Benjamin despite Hurns having the more yardage and touchdowns.

Though Hurns made a name for himself around the league and in fantasy football in Week 1, only in week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals was Hurns able to replicate that success. Hurns would finish under 50 yards receiving in the 11 of the 16 games he played in, finishing his rookie season with 51 receptions for 677 yards and 6 touchdowns.

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Here is a closer look at his number in 2014. (stats retrieved via NFL.com)

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First 4 games: 12 catches, 254 yards, 3 TDs, 21.2 YPC
Last 12 games: 39 catches, 423 yards, 3 TDs, 10.8 YPC
Last 7 games: 22 catches, 211 yards, 1 TD, 9.6 YPC

As you can see, Hurns got off to a hot start but faded down the stretch. Marqise Lee would eventually unseat Hurns and take his spot towards the end of the season.

Despite the disappointing numbers to close out 2014, Hurns vastly exceeded expectations as an undrafted rookie free-agent out of the University of Miami. The Jaguars expected 2014 second round draft picks Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee to make more of an impact then Hurns, but injuries cut short a lot of their rookie season.

Hurns led the Jaguars receivers in yards and touchdowns last year, but the team is expecting more from both Robinson and Lee in 2015. Many around the league expect Robinson to emerge as a breakout receiver. And with the addition of Julius Thomas in free-agency and Rashad Greene in the draft, it almost seems like Hurns is the forgotten man, which doesn’t make a lot of sense as Hurns was one of the lone bright spots for the Jags last season.

Most would expect Allen Hurns to make a significant jump in year two. However, given his place on the depth chart, it is reasonable to expect Hurns to put up similar numbers as last year with 50-60 catches, around 600 yards and five touchdowns.

Unless Hurns improves his hands and becomes a more consistent threat, it is unlikely he will ever be a true #1 receiver. Hurns is a physical receiver, and for every big play Hurns makes, a case of the dropsies would follow.

Nevertheless, Hurns can and will be a productive and solid receiver in the Jaguars rotation for years to come.

Going undrafted in 2014 will stay with Hurns throughout his career. John Oesher of Jaguars.com said, It might not be the sole motivation, but Hurns said without question the memory of going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft has stuck.”

“When will that not motivate you?” Hurns was asked.

He smiled, “Oh never,” Hurns said to Oesher. “Never. That’s one thing that will always be with me. People say it doesn’t matter once you get into the league, and it really doesn’t, but at the end of the day there are times you think about it. Not getting drafted, it’s always going to stick with you.”

“There are going to be days you’re going to wake up and it’s going to give you that fire.”

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