What a difference a week makes!

While Jaguars fans are stoked after the surprisingly dominant win over the Texans, there was one negative development that will loom over the rest of the season, the injury to Allen Robinson.

Just the last week of the preseason, there was talk about possibly cutting or trading Allen Hurns, who might have been listed at 6th according to some depth charts.  This was reflective of the perceived improved depth at the position, as Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole showed explosive, defense stretching ability during those games.  Now, Robinson is done for the season, and Westbrook is done for at least eight weeks as he recovers from a "core injury."  So where does that leave the Jaguars' receiving corps now?

Somehow, I can't imagine Hurns being 4th in this depth chart now.

If you assume Hurns and Lee are the starters, it would seem the remainder of the receivers currently on the roster are #2 guys for the most part.  Hurns has the size you want for a #1, and is tough as nails, but doesn't seem to have the physical presence to be a #1.  Lee has speed, but again doesn't have that physical part of the game that Robinson has. 

However, there may be one guy left on the roster that could give the receiver corps an element that can emulate a different type of #1 receiver.  That guy is Keelan Cole.

There are some #1 WRs that are big, physical, and can muscle opposing DBs (Irvin, Julio Jones).  They are the guys who, on 3rd and 7 can get you the 12 yard in or the slant and move the sticks for you.  But there are others who are so fast and so explosive, they can take the top off of defenses.  Because they are so fast, they force most CBs to play off of them and can command safety help over the top.  Lee Evans was that type of guy. The recently retired Steve Smith was that type of guy/   For real old guys like me, Cliff Branch was another guy like that.  Keelan Cole could fall into that category.

Granted, that is a ton of pressure to put on an UDFA rookie out of Kentucky Wesleyan.  He needs to be more consistent with his hands, and Keenan needs to help him develop ways to get off the jam and set up his routes.  He probably won't make that kind of leap until next year.  But if he did manage to make the leap over the course of this year, I think he could be that speed based #1 guy that could open things up for other guys inside.

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