Each day for the next two weeks we’ll review how each position group performed in 2015 as well as taking an early look at 2016. Thursday we’ll examine wide receiver. We’ve already done quarterback, running back, and tight end.
Wide receiver
Breakdown of starts: Allen Robinson (15), Allen Hurns (15), Marqise Lee (1), Bryan Walters (1).
Recap: Robinson had a breakout year to establish himself as one of the best young receivers in the league and show he deserves consideration for inclusion in the small group of No. 1 receivers. Robinson caught 80 passes for 1,400 yards and a single-season team record and NFL-high 14 touchdowns. He led the NFL in catches of 20 or more yards and 17.5 yards per reception was the most among players with 51 or more catches. Hurns had a very good year, too, catching 64 passes for 1,031 yards and 10 TDs, giving the Jaguars a pair of 1,000-yard receivers for the first time since 2001. Hurns played most of the year with a sports hernia, which he had surgery to fix last week. Lee battled a hamstring issue early in the season but played in the final eight games. It was hard for him to find a place in the offense because of Robinson and Hurns and the emergence of tight end Julius Thomas, who also worked his way into the offense after a thumb injury cost him the first four games. Lee finished with 15 catches. Walters established himself as a reliable target (32 catches) and backup punt returner. Rashad Greene missed seven games with a thumb injury and caught 19 passes but averaged only 4.9 yards per catch. He made a bigger impact as a punt returner, where he averaged 16.7 yards per return – which would have led the NFL had he had enough returns to qualify – and returned one for a touchdown.
Looking ahead to 2016
Players under contract: Robinson, Hurns, Lee, Walters, Greene, Neal Sterling, Arrelious Benn, Damian Copeland, Tony Washington. And yes, Justin Blackmon, too.
The skinny: Receiver may be the Jaguars’ most talent-rich position and it’s likely the Jaguars won’t be adding anyone to the mix. Robinson, who will play in Sunday’s Pro Bowl, will have to adjust to being the focal point of coverages from now on but he seemed to handle that pretty well at the end of the season. It will be interesting to watch Lee and Greene to see which one emerges as the clear No. 3. That will really be the No. 4 option in the passing game because of Thomas so it’s not a spot that will likely produce more than 50 catches. Lee’s speed helps the offense so it’s imperative that he stay healthy, which has been a problem for him in his first two seasons. If the Jaguars keep five receivers it likely will come down to Walters and Benn, who missed the entire 2015 season with a broken collarbone. Both contribute heavily on special teams.
