Let’s get the bad news out of the way. Lawrence threw 12
TD’s and 17 INT’s in 2021, both worst in the NFL.
But let’s not minimize the rest of the story. As a rookie,
in what can only be described as a dysfunctional environment,
under a head coach that didn’t even make it through the
season, he ranked in the top half of the league among QB’s
in attempts, completions, rushing attempts and rushing yards,
and was just outside the top half in passing yards. With seemingly
everything working against him, he still completed just under
60% of his 602 attempts for over 3,600 yards.
There’s no doubt he needs to get better, but there is talent
there. The Jags added some pieces to the receiving corps, but
I’m not sure they are that much better there. They do get RB Travis
Etienne back, which will be a welcome safety valve for Lawrence
and a weapon with whom he’s already developed years of chemistry.
Having his old college RB, a QB whisperer in HC Doug Pederson,
an offensive system that will highlight his skill set, and a year
of experience and development under his belt could be enough to
push Lawrence into solid back end QB2 status, or at least a reasonable
consideration in flex formats.
Etienne missed his entire rookie season to a broken foot, but
he is now healthy and has been an early standout at Jags training
camp. He’s a dual threat back who is outstanding in space no matter
how he gets the ball. Some drafters are knocking his value because
James Robinson will be back, leading to RB committee talk, but
Robinson’s presence doesn’t necessarily mean Etienne will be sent
to the sideline on 1st and 2nd down. Etienne has been lining up
all over the field and owners should expect HC Doug Pederson and
company to be very creative in finding ways to put the ball in
his hands. You’ll see him split out, in motion, and even in the
same backfield with Robinson.
I’m not worried about his target share. Plug Etienne in
as a RB2. He’s going to produce in this offense.
Robinson has made a quick turnaround from a torn Achilles suffered
last season. The Jaguars are expecting him to be ready for Week
1, and HC Doug Pederson has said he thinks Robinson can be a three-down
back when healthy. That’s worrisome for fantasy owners of
both Robinson and Travis Etienne, but I expect Robinson to make
his money in the red zone. He got the call over 80% of the time
when Jacksonville was operating inside the 10-yard line.
I see Etienne getting increased target share and carries as the
season goes on, while Robinson serves as the thunder in short
yardage and goal line work in his future. He’s a TD-reliant
RB3 as long as Etienne is in the fold.
Kirk is coming off a career year in Arizona where he posted 77
catches on 103 targets, for 982 yards and a 12.8-yard average.
He’s had 100+ targets in two of the last three seasons,
which is likely a function of the pass-happy offense the Cardinals
run under HC Kliff Kingsbury. New Jags HC Doug Pederson likes
his QB’s to throw off play action, and while he’s
become known as a bit of a QB whisperer, he hasn’t had many
1,000-yard receivers working under his tutelage.
Kirk will work predominantly out of the slot, though he can move
around easily enough. His speed can be a factor, and his ability
to find space in the middle of the field will be a tremendous
help to Trevor Lawrence. He’s the Jags’ WR1, but he’s
a WR3 with upside if Lawrence and company make the big jump on
offense people expect.
After excelling for the Lions as one of the NFL’s top returners
during the first four years of his career, Agnew stepped into
a larger receiving role with the Jaguars in 2021. He turned in
a career year, hauling in 24 of 39 targets. A slippery guy with
speed, he’s a prototypical slot receiver who may unfortunately
get pushed aside with the signing of Christian Kirk. For leagues
that value special teams, he’s got game-breaking speed in
the return game.
WR Marvin Jones
(2021 WR Rank – No.59, 6.3 FPts/G)
Despite being on the field for almost every offensive snap in 2021
and leading the Jags in receiving for the second season in a row,
those are not high bars when you’re talking about a team that
was as bad as the Jaguars. He put up just one 100-yard game and
only four touchdowns. Those are hardly WR1 numbers, no matter how
bad the team is. He’s a polished, savvy receiver and route
runner, but he’s the second receiving option on this team
at best, and not a relevant fantasy contributor.
There are rumors that Jacksonville may be open to trading Shenault.
Much like San Francisco’s Deebo Samuel, he’s a dual
threat who can align anywhere on the field, create as a dangerous
catch and run player, and win as a runner on jet sweeps or out
of the backfield. That versatility mirrors a lot of what RB Travis
Etienne and WR Christian Kirk bring to the table, so there may
not be any balls for him if he stays. Shenault has been tagged
with exciting potential since he entered the league, but it hasn’t
manifested itself on the stat sheet. Perhaps he can find a team
that knows how to maximize his skill set elsewhere. Until he does,
he will remain on the fantasy sideline.
Treadwell can win out on the edge with size, strength, and deceptive
play speed. After a significantly average stay in Minnesota, he
arrived in Jacksonville in 2021 and posted a career-high 435 yards,
and his 13.5 average per catch was the third highest mark of his
career. But despite his uptick in production, it still doesn’t
measure up to fantasy worthy play. Plus, with WR Zay Jones, who
displays a lot of the same physical traits, coming in via free
agency it seems the writing may be on the wall for Treadwell.
He’s not draftable.
Jones is another 6-2, 200-pounder with 4.4 speed and impressive
athleticism who will compete for balls. Unfortunately, it hasn’t
translated to much success on the field in stops in Buffalo or
Las Vegas. Despite that, it seems like he will get an opportunity
to show his wares in Jacksonville, so he’s worth watching
to see how his role develops early in the season.
TE Evan Engram
(2021 TE Rank – No. 24, 3.9 FPts/G)
Engram made his name as an athletic, dynamic pass catcher, but
has eclipsed 50 catches just twice since 2017 and totaled 500
receiving yards three times. Some have blamed his struggles in
recent seasons in New York on scheme and coaching. To me it looked
more like a lack of focus and an inability to make the tough (and
sometimes even the easy) catch. I’m willing to watch, though.
With Christian Kirk in the slot and Travis Etienne attacking from
all points of the field, Engram could see some favorable matchups
and produce the way we all thought he would year in and year out.
He’s a borderline TE2 for me.
