WHAT THE RETURN OF MARQISE LEE MEANS FOR THE JAGUARS

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire

Marqise Lee's return will shake up the wide receiver room. 
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BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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Marqise Lee is the "alpha dog" of the Jaguars' WR room. His position coach, Keenan McCardell, is thrilled to get Lee back on the field. "I'm looking forward to having him back because he's such a big leader in my room. He's a tone-setter in the run game, and you got to have a guy like that."

On Saturday, when Doug Marrone met with the media, he announced that Marqise Lee would be removed from the PUP and would be able to practice with the team. 

His return to the practice field, and eventually to the game field on Sundays, will be a boon for the Jaguars' offense. Lee has the longest history of production as a starter in Jacksonville of any receiver currently on the team. And as his WR coach said earlier this summer, Lee gets the job done as a run blocker too. 

When Lee returns to full speed, he'll likely retake his spot in the starting lineup. DJ Chark may find himself fighting to get snaps on the outside, as Lee provides much more consistency at the position. A starting receiver group of Marqise Lee and Chris Conley on the outside, with Dede Westbrook in the slot, brings a lot of balance. All three players have the speed to test the defense, and all three have reasonably reliable hands. There's a mix of size, speed, and route running there. 

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When you add DJ Chark to that gourp coming off the bench, you really start to like the depth of this group. Chark needs to show that he can get the job done on game days, but he's had a remarkable summer, making highlight-reel catches time and time again. 

And the battle for final spot or two at receiver should heat up. It's unclear whether the Jags will keep five or six receivers. If it's five, then Keelan Cole, Terrelle Pryor, Tre McBride, Tyre Brady, and CJ Board are all battling for one spot. If it's six, then two of those guys will likely make the team. 

Marqise Lee's return gives the Jaguars a reliable route runner, stronger depth, a great run blocking receiver, and intense competition on the back end of the roster.

But Lee will need to establish chemistry with Nick Foles quickly. That connection with his new QB will help determine how much success Lee can have in 2019. 

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