Jaguars' WR Depth Has Taken Exciting New Shape Entering 2023
Have the Jacksonville Jaguars ever had a wide receiver group as deep as this one? We’re not talking about having a dynamic duo leading the way, like with Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell in the team’s glory days or “The Allens” surprising the national scene in 2015.
The arrival of Calvin Ridley is certainly a big part of why this group appears stronger than any in franchise history, but that’s not what being “deep” is about. It’s about how the Jaguars have executed a plan to play to the strengths and versatility of their options.
Just look at social media. Jaguars fans have spent weeks debating who is the most deserving of the final two WR spots. They’re not figuring out who’s the “best of the rest,” they’re worrying about cutting talented players and losing them to potential opponents.
And for good reason. As this article was being written, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported that teams kept tabs on which WRs the Jaguars said goodbye to.
Now that the dust has settled, the Jaguars keeping seven receivers says two things: head coach Doug Pederson also loved the back-end of the group and that the Jaguars are doing everything they can to keep these guys around in some fashion, practice squad or otherwise.
In favor of keeping Parker Washington and Elijah Cooks after their impressive camps, the team had to say goodbye to Seth Williams and Jaray Jenkins. Williams will play regular-season snaps this season for his new team, and that can create some “fear of missing out.”
It’s an understandable fear that Jacksonville is cutting the wrong guys, but doesn’t the front office doesn’t deserve trust for how they’ve built the receiver group to this point?
Many observers, myself included, couldn’t imagine saying this two years ago but: let Trent Baalke cook. The approach to contracts with Christian Kirk and Zay Jones has paid off already for the Jaguars general manager, as has the dedication to recognizing unique talents like Jamal Agnew and keeping them around.
One of his biggest gambles, trading for Ridley, is yet to play out. But considering how impressive he’s been in training camp and preseason (to the point that our own John Shipley described the former Alabama star as one of the most talented Jags players he’s seen despite not taking a regular-season snap) makes that dice roll feel much more assured.
But even if Ridley isn’t everything he appears to be, it’s truly unique for an NFL team to have options that can handle every duty of a wide receiver, including blocking and special teams.
It’s what is required to compete for championships. This isn’t saying the Jaguars are going to make that run in 2023, but they’ve given Pederson and QB Trevor Lawrence the type of support to make it realistic.
