NFL preseason report: Jacksonville Jaguars

This page will be regularly updated with news and analysis regarding the Jaguars’ skill position players throughout training camp and the preseason. ⬆︎ ⬇︎ Indicate which way a player’s fantasy value is trending and (R) denotes rookies.

Warren Sharp projects the Jaguars to face the 4th easiest schedule of 2018.

Quarterback

Blake Bortles ⬆︎ -- On multiple episodes of Ross Tucker’s Fantasy Feast: Eatin’ podcast, Evan Silva has brought up the Jags’ new utilization of Bortles as a runner -- not just a scrambler. He won’t be seeing Cam Newton/Deshaun Watson utilization but if the coaching staff calls for 4+ totes per game, his floor should comfortably rise. Combine that with his great passing schedule and you’ve got a stellar 14th round QB option.

Running Back

Leonard Fournette ⬆︎ -- Fournette is in line for a monster workload with a dreamy schedule in 2018. Sharp has he Jags projected to face an even easier run defense schedule than they did last year. Evan Silva pointed out in Sharp’s 2018 Football Preview that Fournette’s 16 game total (including the playoffs) came in at 1,628 total yards and 14 touchdowns. It’s shockingly reasonable to expect Fournette to hit those numbers again, given the softer schedule and assumed improvement as he’s continued to refine his skills from Year 1 to Year 2. Fournette’s biggest issue last year was his chronicle ankle injury but he’s drastically slimmed down this offseason, which should bode well for his season-long health. Draft Fournette aggressively in the back half of the 1st round.

T.J. Yeldon ⬆︎ -- Yeldon balled out against the Vikings last weekend, which is great news for everyone involved. He racked up a 73 receiving yards on 5 catches, along with 10 carries for 39 yards, so his role on the team should be secure. The more in-game rest they can give Fournette, the more this entire backfield will produce. Yeldon is an intriguing pick at his 14th round ADP.

Corey Grant ⬆︎ -- Grant is an electric playmaker who deserves to be on an NFL roster. My hope is that the coaching staff continues to scheme ways to get the ball in his hands -- and not just as a running back. Fade him for now, but if we see his workload increase in Week 3 of the preseason we should give him a long look in the late rounds.

Wide Receivers

Marqise Lee ⬆︎ -- Lee will be the team’s No. 1 receiver and is a fine value in the 12th round.

Donte Moncrief ⬇ -- At this point in his career, all we really know about Moncrief is that he was a dominant redzone weapon when Andrew Luck was healthy. He’s currently going undrafted which seems apropos for the moment.

D.J. Chark (R) ⬆︎/⬇ -- I’m not sure what to make of Chark. He’s a talented downfield receiving threat and could see a decent volume of work. Sharp noted in his 2018 Football Preview that the Jags like to chuck it very deep on second and long. Chark might be worth a late round flyer in standard leagues.

Dede Westbrook ⬆︎ -- I might be higher than most on Westbrook (meaning I’d take him at his current 14th round ADP). He’s a talented receiver in a crowded WR room. If he can separate himself, he’ll hold standalone value in standard leagues.

Keelan Cole ⬆︎ -- I’d also be happy to roll the dice on Keelan Cole in the 14th round. The kid can play and doesn’t have any real competition for the slot receiver role.

Tight End

Austin Seferian-Jenkins ⬆︎ -- ASJ is an above-average pass-catching tight end in a thin tight end corps. I expect him to be rosterable as a TE2 and will have spike weeks given the right matchup.

Niles Paul ⬆︎/⬇ -- I don’t expect Paul to have standalone value but he would immediately walk into the TE2 discussion should ASJ miss time with injury. Paul has flashed playmaking ability in the past and could be a solid contributor for a TE-needy team if the aforementioned situation arises.