An already weak Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiving corps took a major hit during Saturday’s preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. The team’s No. 1 receiver, Marqise Lee, suffered what was later determined to be a season-ending left knee injury.
The Jaguars entered training camp with high hopes after qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in a decade and reaching their first conference championship game since 1999. They possess one of the NFL’s most vaunted defenses and one of its top young running backs in second-year pro Leonard Fournette.
The problem is, Jacksonville doesn’t exactly have an elite player at quarterback. Blake Bortles was solid enough last season, but he’s no Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. Thus, he probably doesn’t have the ability to make lesser receivers look much better than they actually are.
After losing Allen Robinson to the Chicago Bears in free agency and releasing veteran pass catchers Allen Hurns and Marcedes Lewis, the Jaguars will have to rely on a young group of receivers in 2018. Former Indianapolis Colt Donte Moncrief should be a solid target and second-year wideouts Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook have potential, but Jacksonville doesn’t have anyone who screams No. 1 receiver.
Enter Dez Bryant, who is unquestionably the top free agent receiver available. After eight years with the Dallas Cowboys, Bryant was released April 13 and has yet to latch on with another team. Many attribute that to his propensity to speak his mind, but there’s no doubting his ability to catch the football.
If the Jaguars want to build on a spectacular 2017 season, they need to give Bryant a call. Here are three reasons signing him is necessary.
Next Page: Reason No. 1
