NFL free agency update: Jaguars re-sign Marqise Lee
By D. J. Evans
After losing Allen Robinson to the Chicago Bears and missing out on Sammy Watkins, the Jacksonville Jaguars stuck with the status quo in re-signing Marqise Lee.
A former second-round pick out of USC, Marqise Lee has not lived up to the hype when he entered the league. His rookie year could be considered average with 37 catches for 422 yards and one touchdown. The 2015 season was a regression (15 catches for 191 yards and one touchdown) and he only played in ten games (one start), taking a backseat with the emergence of Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. In 2016, he began to show promise playing in every game and logged a stat line of 63 catches for 851 yards and three touchdowns.
When Robinson went down with a torn ACL in Week 1 last season, much more was expected of Lee. However, despite starting 14 games, his numbers actually regressed (56 catches for 702 yards and three touchdowns). Furthermore, he was overshadowed by the emergence of rookie wideout Kellan Cole who outperformed Lee even in a lesser role.
Contract details
The Jags inked Lee to a four-year contract worth $38 million with $18 million guaranteed. Seems like a reach until you consider the Miami Dolphins signed, Albert Wilson, a lesser player, for $8 million per year.
National reaction
Grade
The Jaguars were in a tough position here. They lost their top wide receiver and were losing out on the other big name receivers on the market. On the other hand, it begs the question as to why they didn’t just re-sign Robinson. With plenty of cap room, they either decided they liked Lee over Robinson or thought they were going to sign one of the premier names on the market. When that didn’t happen, the Jags had to strike before another team came calling for Lee. Much more will be expected of Lee with Robinson gone. The time is ripe for him to deliver.