After being the first of two wide receivers selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2014 NFL Draft, along with Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee started off his NFL campaign with a quiet year with 37 receptions, 422 yards, and only 1 touchdown.
The Jacksonville Jaguars had growing pains in the passing game last year, led by now second year quarterback Blake Bortles, that finished 31st last year in the league. The Jaguars are entering training camp with 12 wide outs on the roster and even added two during the 2015 Draft. Where Marqise Lee stands on the roster today, according to the Florida Times-Union, is that he'll enter as the number 3 wide receiver to start training camp.
How will it all wind down as camp and the preseason comes to a close? When you look at the roster, there are many young and talented players at the position for the first time since Jimmy Smith was on the team. Allen Robinson, who had an impressive start to his career until an injury sidelined him after the bye week, looks to be the number one target. After him, however, other wide receiver spots seem to be up for grabs with Allen Hurns, an undrafted free agent last season that had 677 yards receiving, rookies Rashad Greene and Neal Sterling, and more including Ace Sanders, Arrelious Benn, Tandon Doss, and Bryan Walters.
The initial plan for Marqise Lee was to play him outside with Allen Robinson, per words from General Manager Dave Caldwell, but will they stick to it by week one against the Carolina Panthers? Here's a prediction of the entire receiving core that may be on the roster by September:
WR1: Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns
WR2: Marqise Lee, Arrelious Benn
WR3: Rashad Greene, Neal Sterling
The reason to believe that Marqise Lee will be an outside receiver by week one is the entire skill set he carried in the first place. Even though that he has the NFL-caliber speed and moves to shake off defenders after the catch, he struggled in year one trying to get open in the first place, as well as injuries that plagued him throughout the season. Also, Rashad Greene excelled in a slot position at Florida State so there's enough to put him there as a Wes Welker-esque possession receiver there.
However, the main difference that will make him have the best chance to make the jump to having an improved second year in the league with the Jags, as well as any other receiver on the roster, is the addition of former Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas to help the development of not only Marqise Lee, but Blake Bortles and the rest of the passing game in the Jaguars roster today.
As the Jags look to improve a passing offense that ranked second-to-last, the pieces are there, not only to improve, but to begin winning and competing for a playoff spot come January. However, the way the Jags' receivers will make strides will always depend on the leader of the helm, which is the young quarterback in Blake Bortles to avoid a sophomore slump and carry the Jaguars to relevence in the NFL once again.