Jacksonville Jaguars Re-tool at Receiver with Jerry Porter

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off their best season since 1999. David Garrard a long time back up was chosen to start the 2007 season ahead of former 1st round draft pick, Byron Leftwich who was released in the team's final roster cuts. Garrard impressed in his first full season leading the Jaguars to an 11-5 regular season record, and their first playoff win in eight years over the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the Divisional playoffs however they fell to the undefeated New England Patriots; the teams were tied at halftime, but the Patriots pulled ahead and won 31-20.

The Jaguars began the 2008 off-season by being one of the most active teams in the free agent market. In attempt to retool a pass offense that ranked 17th in the NFL, the Jaguars signed long time Raiders wide out, Jerry Porter to a $30 million, six year deal. The Jags also made a great low risk deal to acquire former 2005, 7th overall pick Troy Williamson from the Minnesota Vikings for a sixth round pick in April’s draft.

The Jaguars have lacked a true No. 1 target since Jimmy Smith announced his retirement in 2006. Former first round picks, Reggie Williams and Matt Jones have failed to live up to draft day expectations, while Ernest Wilford, the Jags receptions leader last season, signed with Miami in the off season.

Garrard Getting Help
Garrard took the fantasy world by storm a year ago, he came on strong late in the season throwing 9 TD’s in the last four games as he led the Jaguars into the playoffs. In only twelve games, Garrard was able to rack up 2,509 yards, an 18:3 TD:INT ratio, and an impressive 100.3 QB rating, good for 3rd in the NFL.

Garrards numbers are spectacular regardless, but when you look at his receiving core last season, his numbers are that much more spectacular. The Jaguars relied on a balanced aerial attack with six different receivers playing significant roles on offense. Last season, no receiver gained more than 650 yards through the air, led by Williams with 629. Though the Jaguars did boast six receivers with over 300 yards, and 28 receiving touchdowns spread over nine players, led again by Williams with 10.

The addition of Jerry Porter figures to give Garrard the go to target he lacked last season. Porter should be the most effective in short yardage possession situations, but has always had the ability to stretch the field. His presence should more than make up for the departure of Ernest Wilford, and send former No. 1 receiver, Reggie Williams into a complementary role. Troy Williamson the other off- season acquisition will likely battle with Dennis Northcutt and Matt Jones for a back up role in training camp.

With the addition of Porter, Garrard figures to be in better position to improve on his incredibly efficient ‘07 season. It’s not on par with the Patriot’s revamping of last year, but just like Brady significant improvement should be expected of Garrard next season. Considering he missed four games with injury, Garrard is fully capable of reaching 3,500 yards and 25 TD’s next season. Garrard should find himself a top 10 fantasy quarterback in the ‘08 season.

Porter’s Time To Shine
What was perceived as a weakness last season should be an area of talent and depth heading into the 2008 season. Jerry Porter gets a second chance after eight years of turmoil in Oakland. Porter has recorded 900+ yards and 9 TD’s twice in his career, but should have his best chance at topping the 1,000 yard mark this season in Jacksonville. The talent has always been there with Porter, but his attitude and injuries have kept him from fully blossoming after his breakout season in 2004. Porter will immediately take hold of the No. 1 receiver position as the main target for second year starter David Garrard. Porter has the size (6'2, 220) and skill to step in as the top possession receiver. His presence should shorten the depth chart at wide out, last season 5 receivers had 35 or more receptions. This season the majority of the looks should go to the foursome of Porter, Williams, Marcedes Lewis and Maurice Jones- Drew.

For the fantasy owner, Porter should be solid No. 3 receiver with No. 2 upside, but it remains to be seen how the looks will be divided once the season starts. Safe expectations would be around 1,000 yard mark and 6 TD’s. Of course Porter has the talent and now the surroundings to post numbers with the elite receivers, but has repeatedly disappointed throughout his career. Now teamed with Garrard, Porter will no longer have to comfort inexperienced quarterbacks going through the growing pains of the NFL, and is poised for a breakout. Porter showed what a great receiver he could be when he teamed with Rich Gannon in 2005, like Gannon, Garrard brings an incredibly accurate arm and a great deep ball. Despite entering his ninth season, Porter should have plenty left in the tank, after a year off in 2006, and a few others in which he played very little. Temper expectations and draft Porter as a No. 3.

Williamson’s Second Chance
In 2005, the Vikings drafted Troy Williamson, 7th overall looking for a deep threat after trading Randy Moss to Oakland. So far, his penchant for dropping passes has left him a ‘bust’ considering he was drafted ahead of players like , Shawne Merriman, Derrick Johnson, and Roddy White. In 2006, Williamson tied for 2nd in the NFL with 11 drops, and punched his ticket out of Minnesota in the 2007 season finale with two critical drops. First, a wide-open Williamson dropped an almost-certain 72-yard touchdown pass from Tarvaris Jackson in the second quarter and then another pass that would have yielded a critical first down later in the game.
Williamson will get his second chance in Jacksonville, but it remains to be seen where he will fit in on the depth chart. Williamson will likely have to impress in training camp to work himself past Reggie Williams who had a breakout season a year ago, leading the Jags in receiving yards (629) and touchdowns (10). Another barrier on the depth chart will be nine year veteran Dennis Northcutt who was second on the team with 600 yards, and 4 touchdowns, and figures to have the edge for the slot position. Given Williamson’s speed and athletic ability, he figures to see the field as a deep threat, either to help the Jags stretch the field or as a decoy to open up the underneath routes.

Williamson will likely play a minor role in the season to come, but at age 24 still has a bright future ahead of him. Barring significant injuries Williamson will not be a fantasy factor this season, but he will join a talented bench that already features my favorite fantasy flame, Matt Jones.