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With the potential for a rookie quarterback to be slinging the ball for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014, who will step up and be able to replace Justin Blackmon?
The troubled wide receiver could return to NFL action, but there is no guarantee that he will ever play another down of football ever again. When Blackmon is on the field, he looks as if he could be one of the best wide receivers in the entire league. The problem is, however, he can’t stay out of trouble. In just four games in 2013, Blackmon totaled 415 receiving yards, averaged 103.8 receiving yards a game and scored one touchdown.
Without the presence of Blackmon, are there any receivers on Jacksonville who you should select in your fantasy football draft?
One dark-horse candidate to become a top-20 wide receiver is the 22-year old Ace Sanders. The Jaguars would reportedly like to see Sanders in a Darren Sproles type role in 2014, and being more involved in the offense would make the young receiver fantasy relevant. His 484 receiving yards on 51 receptions in 2013 is promising, and his quickness and ability to create plays should put Sanders on your draft board.
Wide receiver Cecil Shorts is a player who you should already know about, and he would be a solid player to add depth to your team. He lacks the ideal size to be a premiere wideout, but he is still an effective weapon. With 1,756 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches the past two seasons, Shorts could really benefit with the complete absence if Blackmon if he can stay healthy. He is the type of player who you would want to start when Jacksonville has ideal matchups.
While the Jaguars currently do not have any players that can have the same fantasy impact that Blackmon did, you can still find plug and play receivers who can help you win from week to week.
Jack Delaney is a fantasy football writer for www.Rantsports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @jackbmore13, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google
