Jamal Agnew becoming acclimated to new role in Jacksonville

Outside of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and perhaps leading receiver Marvin Jones Jr., it’s hard to argue that any of Jacksonville’s offseason pickups have proven to be more successful than the addition of receiver and return specialist Jamal Agnew.

Agnew didn’t wait long to make an impact with the Jaguars, as he already has two 100+ yard touchdown returns, including one on a kick-six. But since receiver DJ Chark Jr. was lost for the season, Agnew has become the team’s No. 3 receiver, and he’s been solidly productive.

In his first start in the win over the Dolphins, Agnew totaled five catches for 78 yards. He has already set a career-high in receiving this year, and his role should only expand from here.

Agnew began his career as a cornerback, where he played in addition to returner for his first three years in Detroit. However, under current Jaguars offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell with the Lions in 2020, he made the switch from cornerback to receiver.

He told Pro Football Focus that his interest in signing with the Jags stemmed from a familiarity with Bevell’s system and the opportunity to see more action at receiver.

“Bevell’s probably one of the biggest reasons why I came here,” Agnew said. “I’m a pretty confident guy, and I always knew I could find myself a role and excel on the offensive side of the ball. That was probably my biggest decision-making in free agency, was going somewhere where I didn’t have to learn a whole new playbook. Obviously, the offensive playbook is super complex compared to the defensive side of the ball, so when I saw Bevell got the job out here and they really needed to fill a void in the special teams, I was like Jacksonville’s my top priority.”

At just 26 years old and with less than two full seasons at receiver under his belt, Agnew’s potential is through the roof. He’s continuing to develop every week, and he said that he has the skillset to be an elite player at receiver, not just returner (he leads the league in touchdown returns since 2017).

“I want to be one of the best in the league,” Agnew said. “I feel like I’m still learning and I’m still new to the position. I mean, I’ve really only been playing it for a year and a half and I feel like I’ve progressed a lot, but I feel like I could be so much better.”

With Chark out for the rest of the season, the team needs someone to step up at the receiver position. The early indications are that Agnew has the skillset to be that guy, and if he continues to get better as fans have witnessed, 2021 could easily be Agnew’s best season since entering the NFL.