OFFSEASON AWARDS: DEDE WESTBROOK - OFFENSIVE MVP

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire

Dede Westbrook was the Jaguars most valuable player on offense in 2018. 

---

The Jaguars offense was, largely, inept for the duration of the 2018 NFL season. There are many factors to blame. But Dede Westbrook may have been the lone bright spot. The Jaguars faced a litany of devastating injuries on offense. The offensive line, tight end group, and wide receivers were ravaged by season ending injuries in 2018. The QB play was abysmal. 

Yet, somehow, Dede Westbrook was able to shine with his play this past season. He showed great improvement in a number of areas and ultimately was the most valuable player on the offensive side of the ball for the Jaguars. 

He led the team in receptions (66), receiving yards (717), and receiving touchdowns (5). His catch percentage of 65 was the highest among the Jaguars WRs. He was certainly the most consistent receiving threat for the Jaguars, but receiving was far from his only contribution to the Jaguars offense this year.

Westbrook was also the team's sixth leading rusher. He only carried the ball nine times, but he gained 98 yards on those attempts, good for an average of 10.9 yards per carry. His 38 first downs were the most on the team by a wide margin. 
​

904 Shirt + Pin Combo

$28.00 - $31.00

Shop

But when talking about Westbrook's impact on the offense, you'd be remiss not to point out his impact as a punt returner. Dede averaged an eye popping 14 yards per punt return on the year, regularly setting up the Jaguars with good field position. He even returned one of his 19 punt returns all the way to the house for a 74 yard score. 

With 1,118 total yards and six touchdowns Dede Westbrook was the Offensive MVP for the Jaguars. It's not ideal. He wasn't a superstar for the team by any means, but in a lost season Dede Westbrook was an asset to the team more than any other player on the offensive side of the ball. 

Entering his third year, Westbrook should be even more involved on offense. He was targeted five times or less in nine of the Jaguars sixteen contests this year. Five targets per game should be his floor in 2019. More often than not Westbrook should receive seven to ten targets next season, assuming he continues to progress as a professional. ​