Jaguars Free Agent Profile: Bryan Walters

Embed from Getty Images

A quick glance at the Jaguars backup WR/PR, Bryan Walters, who is set to become a free agent in 2016

By Jordan de Lugo

PRESENTED BY

Bryan Walters was a very popular guy in Jacksonville this year, as he played well as a back up punt returner and filled in admirably as a slot receiver when the injury bug hit the Jaguars in 2015. Walters in now set to be an unrestricted free agent. He won’t command a hefty contract and the Jaguars should be willing to pay the man to keep him in Duval for a couple more years.

Walters is only 28 years old and has several years of good football in front of him. He has played for four different teams already in his young NFL career, but the Jaguars should stop the trend this year of Walters not being able to secure a multiple year deal. Some will no doubt argue that the Jaguars are fine at receiver as they have the Brothers Allen, Marqise Lee, and Rashad Greene ahead of Bryan Walters on the depth chart, but Walters is a valuable piece and provides great depth for the Jags. I say Walters is a “valuable” player because he can be a quality back up punt returner on special teams and a great back up slot receiver on offense. That makes him versatile enough to help the Jaguars in multiple areas. In 2015 Walters was a key piece in the Jaguars’ offense several times throughout the season when other receivers were injured. He played so well last season that he ranked 38th amongst wide receivers according to Pro Football Focus, finishing in front of players such as Demaryius Thomas, Randall Cobb, and Amari Cooper.

Embed from Getty Images

Walters isn't the type of player that will wow you with his forty time or his size, but he is a quality pro and a hard worker that provides value at multiple positions. For these reasons the Jaguars should make resigning him a priority this off season. Do the Jaguars have bigger needs than having a quality backup slot receiver/punt returner? The answer is yes, but Walters will not cost the Jags much and he has proven that he can help the team when his number is called.