NFL

Jaguars Position Preview: Stakes high for fourth-year receivers

Ryan O'Halloran
Since the start of 2015, the Jaguars’ Allen Robinson ranks fourth in the NFL with 20 touchdown catches and 11th with 2,283 yards. But he’s still waiting for a new contract. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Despite the perception, the Jaguars’ receivers did not have a drops problem last year – 19 in 16 games.

They had a big play problem … a lack of them.

And creating stretch-the-field opportunities for Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee should be high on offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s list of priorities when training camp practices begin next week.

Explosive catches (at least 16 yards) in 2015: Robinson 37, Hurns 26 and Lee five. As a team, the Jaguars had 99 and were 12th in catches (355) and 10th in yards (4,108).

Explosive catches in 2016: Robinson 23, Lee 22 and Hurns 12. As a team, the Jaguars had 76 and were 14th in catches (369), but 20th in yards (3,728).

The Jaguars’ Grand Plan is a smaller reliance on the pass by running it more effectively. In turn, that would set up more play-action shots downfield for quarterback Blake Bortles.

But given the opportunity, bigger things are expected from the trio of fourth-year receivers.

“It’s the whole group – have to be more consistent,” Hackett said. “If we get the dynamic play out of all of them, we’re going to do some good things.”

Among the 12 receivers in camp, five are new: Dede Westbrook, Amba Etta-Tawo, Larry Pinkard, Keelan Cole and Kenneth Walker. Only Westbrook – a fourth-round selection – is a near-lock to make the roster. The other four players could be competing for a practice squad spot.

Entering camp, Robinson, Hurns, Lee, Westbrook and special teams ace Arrelious Benn are set on the roster, leaving one available spot.

If somebody like Etta-Tawo – who set 10 school records in his only year with Syracuse – could provide the only receiver-centered drama. If he shines and Westbrook wins the punt return spot, Rashad Greene’s status could be in doubt.

It is justified, though, to put most of the attention on the top of the depth chart.

Per the Times-Union’s game charting, Robinson had eight drops (one every 9.1 catches), followed by five for Hurns (one every 7.0) and four for Lee (one every 15.8). Among the top receivers, Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans had one drop for every 13.7 catches and Denver’s Demaryius Thomas one for every 12.9 catches.

Eligible for a contract extension all off-season, Robinson will report entering the final year of his rookie deal. The stakes are high.

“A-Rob has done a nice job and it’s great because he’s one of those guys that always wants more and that wants to get better,” Hackett said. “He does some spectacular things on the field.”

Because he was undrafted in 2014, Hurns could receive an extension after his second season (not third like a draft pick) and he struck gold – his cap number this year is $7 million, compared to $7,873,367 for the other 11 receivers combined.

Hurns, though, needs to bounce back. Even before a hamstring injury cost him the final five weeks, he had no 100-yard games. If he struggles, the Jaguars could opt to re-sign Robinson and Lee, make Westbrook the third option and create $7 million in 2018 cap space by releasing Hurns. The stakes for him are high, too.

Lee took advantage of Hurns’ injury problems. Full-season healthy for the first time, Lee had 63 catches for 851 yards.

“Sometimes, I tell him, ‘The sky’s the limit; it’s on you,’” new receivers coach Keenan McCardell said of Lee. “He loves to play football and he’s not afraid of contact.”

How the Jaguars deploy their receivers is a guess at this point. When they use a tailback/fullback/tight end grouping, is it Robinson/Lee or Robinson/Hurns? Do the Jaguars shift Robinson into the slot so he can go against a back-up cornerback? And what about Westbrook?

Westbrook played exclusively on the right side for Oklahoma and was learning the outside spots for the Jaguars this off-season. He missed significant time because of injury, though. If he can catch up in camp, he adds a speed element.

Staff writer Gene Frenette contributed to this story.

Coming Friday: Tight ends.