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Fantasy Football 2017: Jacksonville Jaguars outlook

By James Simpson

Nov 13, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) stretches to make the catch during the second quarter of a football game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) stretches to make the catch during the second quarter of a football game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an abysmal 14-48 record for Gus Bradley in his four years in Jacksonville, Doug Marrone will look to turn things around in 2017. Can he get the best from his offensive weapons?

Blake Bortles

Bortles is widely regarded as a “bad NFL quarterback, but good fantasy one.” He’s finished as a top eight fantasy QB in each of the last two seasons, but in both years had the highest number of interceptions and the worst quarterback rating of anyone in the top 12. He’s got by on garbage time and playing catch up, and that’s a risky way to draft players. Last year he was being overdrafted, but he should come at a reasonable price this year. However, his lack of true talent will soon catch up with his fantasy production, and I’d be looking to avoid him.

T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory

Both backs are bound to lose opportunities when the NFL Draft is wrapped up. Leonard Fournette is a hot name being mocked to the Jaguars, but even if they don’t grab him with the fourth overall pick, you can be sure they will add someone whose talent will eclipse the two current backs. Neither could muster up more than 500 yards last year, and don’t offer enough in the passing game to hold off a talented rookie. I wouldn’t touch either.

Allen Robinson

He’s the true star of this offense, but had a very poor 2016 campaign. Amazingly, he had exactly the same number of targets (151) in his down year as his stunning sophomore outing. In 2015, he managed 80 receptions, 1,400 and 14 touchdowns. Last year, the numbers dropped to a 73-883-6 line to the despair of fantasy owners who will have spent a first or second round pick on him.

Moving forward, we can expect Robinson to bounce back with numbers that fall somewhere in between the two seasons, and he could be a steal if he falls to the fourth or fifth rounds of your drafts based on last year. While he might not be a transcendent talent, he should return to being a strong every-week starter.

Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns

Two young complements to Robinson, both Lee and Hurns have had separate solid years recently. Hurns shocked many with a 1,000 yard, ten-touchdown 2015 season, but disappeared in 2016. Former second round pick Lee has had the start of his career slowed by injuries, but broke out quietly with only 32 fewer receiving yards than Robinson last year, ending with a 63-851-3 line. In 2017 and beyond, expect Lee to garner more opportunities and be the more beneficial fantasy selection. For now, he’s an end-of-bench player at best.

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The Best of the Rest

There’s almost nothing to see on the rest of the Jags’ current roster. They need an upgrade at running back, more depth at receiver, and a serious injection of talent at tight end. Marcedes Lewis has only put up one ‘significant’ fantasy season in 11 years, while new addition Mychal Rivera started just 15 games in four years for Oakland. Rookies could have a huge impact in Jacksonville.

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