Jacksonville Jaguars: Passing game a work in progress for 2018
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars have to rebuild their passing attack due to several offseason moves. The passing attack is being rebooted.
The Jacksonville Jaguars receiving corps was decimated by injuries last season. Allen Robinson, the No. 1 receiver, was lost for the year while making his only reception. As a result, the passing offense did not have a true elite receiver.
In today’s era of football analytics, an elite receiver meets certain benchmarks. In Zack Moore’s book, Caponomics: Building Super Bowl Champions, there are four benchmarks. They are, found on page 108: 1. 85+ receptions, 2. 1,200+ receiving yards, 3. 8.5+ yards per target percentage, and 4. 63 percent reception rate.
How do the current Jaguars receivers measure up to the benchmarks? Just looking at the 2017 season statistics, there isn’t one. Hopefully the offseason moves will allow for a player to emerge.
Currently, there are ten wide receivers on the Jaguars roster. Only four saw playing time in a Jaguars uniform. Since Donte Moncrief played in Indianapolis, he would make five active receivers in 2017.
Marqise Lee caught 56 of 96 targeted passes for 702 yards, which led the Jaguars. His reception percentage was 58 percent. Most noteworthy was his 12.5 percent of yards per reception. Lee made one benchmark.
Keelan Cole led the Jaguars in receiving with 748 yards. He caught 42 of 83 targeted passes for an average of 50.6 percent. He was tops among Jaguars with a 17.8 yards per reception. Cole made just one benchmark, also.
Moncrief’s statistical numbers were down due to Andrew Luck’s injury. Moncrief played in 12games and started eight of them. He did average 15 yards per catch to make one benchmark, though.
The Jaguars running game saw eight man fronts each game. Consequently, if there is not an elite receiver on the field, then teams will make you throw. Jacksonville has to remedy this situation.
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Odell Beckham Jr. might be available for trade, probably before the NFL Draft. Beckham missed 12 games due to an ankle injury. What would Jacksonville need to offer in trade? Rather than make the trade, Jacksonville should develop their own crop of receivers.
Expect a wide receiver to be drafted in the first or second round. It should not be a surprise if more than one are drafted. Remember, the passing game is a work in progress.