It was getting late into the second round of the NFL Draft. Other names like Calvin Ridley, Courtland Sutton, James Washington, Dante Pettis, Christian Kirk, and D.J. Moore have been selected by other teams instead of D.J. Chark. The Lafayette, Louisiana native, and former LSU wide receiver waited patiently to hear his name called. Chark had the misfortune of bad QB play and coaching turmoil during his years as a Bayou Bengal, only amassing 66 total receptions in two years. However, he can boast a 22 yards per catch (ypc) during that span and a couple of touchdowns on punt returns.
Chark had the opportunity to shine in the Senior Bowl and he made the most of it, earning co-MVP for the South team with 5 receptions for 160 yards and TD. Chark also made the most of his opportunity at the NFL Combine, running a blazing 4.34 40 yd dash and a 10’ 9” broad jump. Still the physically gifted receiver (6’ 3” 198 lbs.) sat waiting and waiting until the 61st pick of the 2018 NFL Draft for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Chark has joined a receiving corps that is without a marquee playmaker, as the Jags allowed Allen Robinson to head to the Windy City. Now is the time for Chark to cash in on yet another opportunity among a group of an under-achieving receiver (Marqise Lee), young receivers (Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook) and a cast-off (Donte Moncrief) being coached by former-Jaguar Keenan McCardell.
Oh my, DJ Chark! On Jalen Ramsey #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/isnfdZSUT6
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 1, 2018
Chark has already shown his speed, grace, and athleticism during mini-camp against two All-Pro Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. If Chark can become a downfield threat for the Jaguars, it will open up the playbook and also make the running game that much more effective. Chark doesn’t need to be the go to man for QB Blake Bortles, like Allen Robinson was in the past. Chark doesn’t need to demand the ball like other wide receivers in the league do. Chark needs to be a threat. He needs to be a solid deep threat that demands respect from opposing defensive secondaries. Look for Offensive Coordinator Nate Hackett to also use his size and abilities in the red zone on fade routes to the back pylon. Chark may have been the 8th wide receiver selected in the draft, but his impact on the field for the Jaguars has the potential to be priceless.
