Though some expected the Jacksonville Jaguars passing attack to be better in 2015, no one could have quite expected this. The Jags rank fourth in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (27), 14th in passing yards (3,067) and 13th in receiving yards (3,274). Quarterback Blake Bortles has broken out in his second season and is on pace to have one of the best years for a passer in Jaguars history. While much of his success can be attributed to the emergence of No. 1 wide receiver Allen Robinson, Jacksonville's secondary receivers have contributed as well.
Both Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee have improved in their sophomore campaigns. But with Hurns set to return from injury this weekend, which pass-catcher should fantasy football owners go with?
"WR Marqise Lee played a season-high 46 snaps against Tennessee but was targeted only four times (one receptions for 17 yards) and ran the ball once for 4 yards," ESPN's Mike DiRocco wrote. "Even though WR Allen Hurns returns this week, Lee's touches actually may increase. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson said he is getting a better feel for the routes he believes Lee is most comfortable with and runs well. Lee has been on the field for a month and has shown no signs of hamstring issues, so there's nothing holding him back. One player told me Lee looks the smoothest he has all season."
Lee, a second-round pick last year, had a more impressive pedigree than Hurns, who was an undrafted free agent in 2014. But there's no denying that Hurns has been the better player. In 19 career games, Lee has caught just 43 passes for 490 yards and one touchdown. Hurns, meanwhile, has caught 99 passes for 1,435 yards and 13 scores in 27 career games. He's averaging roughly .5 TDs per game.
Olson may want to get Lee more involved and Hurns may be a bit rusty coming back from injury. But I'm going with the latter until Lee proves himself to be an NFL-caliber pass-catcher.
