Thinking Outside Of The Box: Solving the WR Conundrum

One of the most common things flying around on blogs all across the nation, is how much the Jaguars need receiving talent. I'm sure everyone agrees that this is true. The Jaguars have been searching for a #1 receiver since Jimmy Smith retired. It's time to get some talent who can run routes, catch the ball, and then pick up yards after the catch. We have receivers who can do all three, but none of them can put it all together in one package. 

Here is a look at The Jaguars current receivers:

• Mike Walker: Many say this guy has great potential, including our beloved Vic Ketchman. Walker really does bring a little bit of everything to the table. Walker teased Jaguars fans everywhere with his breakout performance against Pittsburgh last season, in which he had 6 receptions for over 100 yards, and a long catch of 32 yards. However, again he struggled with injury and finished the season on a disappointing note. 
• Dennis Northcutt: Mysteriously disappeared for a long time last season. Appeared in games, but only for a short time, and he wasn't often targeted. Then he blew open his season, the problem was, it was against Green Bay in the third to last game of the season. He went over 100 yards against both Green Bay and Indianapolis the next week. He is still this team's best route runner, and still knows how to get open. Hopefully he can return to his role in the slot next season.
• Troy Williamson: Was supposed to complement Jerry Porter by being another deep threat. Blessed with insane speed, getting open is not a problem. However, he only totaled 5 catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. The average for this supposed deep threat who was supposed to become our copy of New Orleans' Devery Henderson, a paltry 6.0 yard average. 
• D'Juan Woods: Was doing well in training camp supposedly, but was cut after week four of the preseason. Has yet to catch a pass in an actual regular season game. Has a better chance to make the team this year, as the roster is wide open at this position. It will be interesting to see if he takes advantage of this opportunity.
• Nate Hughes: Little is known about this practice squad player. Will likely be another long shot to make the team, but could surprise.

Gene Smith has said the Jags will add a receiver in free agency, and a few from the draft. Torry Holt still seems to be a possibility (he's visiting the Titans now), but the Jaguars could wait until after the draft to test the free agency waters again. In the draft, a receiver at 8 is debatable, if not out of the question. If the trade down is not there, the Jaguars should, without a doubt, look to other positions of need. Such as offensive line, defensive line, defensive back, and quarterback. 

Luckily, there is an alternate to taking receivers high in the draft. It's called thinking outside of the box, and there are other ways to get receiving talent. Tight-ends. Hybrid tight-ends that is. These following tight ends would not be drafted to block, as we already have that with Marcedes Lewis and Greg Estandia. The tight ends we already have could be used as threats also, out of our two tight end sets.

These hybrids could put their hand on the ground and just release from the line traditionally, or they could line up in the slot. The advantage to using tight ends in this way are numerous. By getting smaller, faster tight ends, they can get separation against safeties, linebackers, and on occasion(if Dirk Koetter gets lucky) defensive ends.

So, now you have a tight end like Jared Cook, who runs a 4.5, in the slot. The defense switches to the nickel package to try and slow him down. Here is where you can take advantage of personnel mismatches and start pounding the rock with Maurice Jones-Drew and Greg Jones. With 5 DBs on the field, the defense has to sub out a linebacker or a defensive lineman, making it much easier to run the ball, simply because a nickel back cannot tackle or get penetration like a linebacker or lineman.

Here is a list of hybrid tight ends. Most of these guys actually played in a system in college where they were already used in the slot on occasion, so they are well schooled in route running and catching passes. They are all predicted to go at least late second, third, or maybe fourth round.

• Jared Cook: This is the guy I am most high on. He ran a 4.5 at the combine, and played split wide quite often at South Carolina. Actually switched between Wide Receiver and Tight End several times early in his college career. Shows great hands and route running, and can beat all linebackers and most safeties. The guy is not a blocker, but that is not what he is going to be used for. He is going to catch touchdowns. The Jaguars are bringing him in for a workout as well.
  
• Cornelius Ingram: Similar to Jared Cook speed wise. Skilled at route running and has solid hands. Tore his ACL prior to the 2008 season with the Gators, but insists he has fully recovered. Had a good pro-day with windy conditions, and catches the ball with his hands.
  
• James Casey: Not a blocker at all, and does not have elite speed, but is quicker than most tight ends. Elite hands. That would be how to describe him in two words. Could need a little work on route running, but nothing that can't be fixed during mini camp. 

While some teams have found success with great receiving tight ends, such as the Chargers with Antonio Gates, and the Chiefs with Tony Gonzalez, none have used them solely as receivers. Neither of these guys are great blockers, but that is why their respective teams have blocking tight ends on tap, to block for the running back and release to the flats.

This could be more of a low risk way to satisfy the receiving need. Some may call it crazy, but I call it thinking outside of the box.