Jacksonville Jaguars: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft
5. D.J. Chark, WR (LSU)
Talk about a few changes to your pass-catching corps? A year ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars had eight players that caught at least 20 passes. Marqise Lee led the club with 56 receptions (good for 702 yards and three touchdowns), while Keelan Cole averaged a team-best 17.8 yards per grab on 42 grabs (748 yards, three touchdowns). Both performers are still with the club.
However, the team parted ways with wideout Allen Hurns (Dallas Cowboys), tight end Marcedes Lewis (Green Bay Packers) and running back Chris Ivory (Buffalo Bills). And all have found new homes. And former Pro Bowler Allen Robinson, who missed all but one game this past season with a new injury, is now a member of the Chicago Bears. Hence Jaguars general manager David Caldwell delved early in the draft for some help at the wide receiver position in the form of D.J. Chark.
As for the team’s second-round draft choice in April, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gave his thoughts on the former LSU product:
"Tall and fast, Chark is a linear route-runner who may need a limited route tree, but who has the potential to back safeties off the line of scrimmage. Chark will be coveted by play-action passing attacks looking to win with chunk plays down the field, but he’ll need to improve his ball skills to take advantage of all that speed. Chark could struggle early on against press coverage, but he has the ability to become a solid WR2."
Marrone’s team will be relying on Lee, Cole and emerging players such as Dede Westbrook and a former member of the Indianapolis Colts (more on him later). Let the learning for Chark begin.
Next: No. 4