INSTANT ANALYSIS: JAGUARS DRAFT LAVISKA SHENAULT WITH THE 42ND PICK

Laviska Shenault (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

The Jaguars added a boom or bust offensive weapon with their third pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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The Jaguars used their two first-round picks to fill holes on the defensive side of the ball. At nine overall, Jacksonville selected my number two ranked cornerback in this year's draft class, CJ Henderson of Florida. At twenty, the Jaguars again added a defensive player; this time, it was the versatile pass rusher from LSU, K'Lavon Chaisson. With Henderson and Chaisson in the fold, the Jaguars' defensive outlook in 2020 improves dramatically. 

After adding two potential Pro Bowl players on the defensive side of the ball, the teams' top remaining needs heading into 2020 were wide receiver, safety, offensive tackle, and offensive guard, with defensive tackle being a long term need.

Jaguars' GM Dave Caldwell has a penchant for trading up at the top of the second round, but in 2020 he stayed put at 42. And with their first second-round selection of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Jaguars picked junior wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., from Colorado.

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Shenault (21 years old) is an explosive receiver with strong hands and plenty of YAC ability. He looks more like a running back than a receiver after he gets the ball in his hands. At 6'2'' tall and 220 pounds, getting Shenault to the ground is no easy task.  But Shenault has a concerning history of injury, including a 2019 toe injury. His 4.58 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine is not indicative of his true speed — that time was with a lingering core muscle injury. On a video call with Jaguars media, Shenault said his true 40 time was between 4.39-4.44. He didn't operate in a pro-style offense at Colorado. While the offense he worked in during his collegiate years could be viewed as a negative, the Jaguars undoubtedly think he'll be able to translate well to a more traditional offense. If Shenault develops the way the Jaguars think he will, he'll be a do-it-all offensive weapon that can line up in the slot, on the outside, and in the backfield. He could potentially help the Jaguars as a return man as well. 

Shenault is the ultimate boom or bust type prospect that will need to develop as a route runner in order to live up to his draft selection. Shenault's skill set should compliment that of the Jaguars' top wide receiver, DJ Chark. A reason to believe in Shenault? He won't be the only show in town. As a complimentary piece, defenses won't be focused solely on stopping Shenault in Duval. Ultimately, he could help unlock Gardner Minshew's full potential but could struggle to find the field if he can't learn to do the little things. 

Keenan McCardell, the Jaguars' wide receiver coach, should be excited to mold this ball of clay into a dynamic, polished weapon. As for offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, Shenault's versatitily should have him giddy to hit the practice field. A tight bond between Shenault and his offensive coaches could be key. 

The Jaguars hold the 73rd overall selection in the third round and eight more picks on day three of the draft. They still have immediate needs at safety, offensive tackle, offensive guard, and safety. Defensive tackle is a long-term need. 


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