NFL Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars Should Trade Marcedes Lewis

Fresh Videos

By

Jaguars Should Trade Marcedes Lewis

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars are once again headed toward one of the worst records in the NFL, and as a result, they should think about trading some of their older, higher-priced players to clear some room to see what some younger guys can do the rest of the season. There is one guy who fits this mold perfectly: Marcedes Lewis.

Lewis was a middling talent his first four years in the league, playing at least 15 games each season and averaging 30-31 receptions a year for 381 yards. He scored two touchdowns in each season except his rookie year, where he only caught one. However, when it came to his contract year, Lewis had a breakout season, catching 58 passes for 700 yards with a staggering 10 touchdowns, tying him for the lead amongst tight ends with such elite players as Antonio Gates and Rob Gronkowski.

Jacksonville, instead of looking toward his first four years of work as an indicator of Lewis’ talent, opened up their checkbooks and grossly overpaid Lewis, giving him a five-year, $35 million contract, $17 million of which was guaranteed. Predictably, Lewis has fallen off again over the past three seasons, averaging 38-39 receptions for 453 yards and only eight touchdowns across three seasons. This season, Lewis only played in two games before getting injured and placed on the Injured Reserve/Designated to Return list and is eligible to return to game action in Week 12.

In his absence, Clay Harbor has stepped up and become a go-to receiver for Blake Bortles. In only four games, he has caught 20 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown and has looked more athletic than Lewis in the process. The Jaguars should find a team willing to take on Lewis’ contract, perhaps the Seattle Seahawks, who have been looking for a solution to their problem at tight end. The Jaguars could save some money — Lewis is owed $6.65 million next season — and move to a younger, more athletic player in the process.

Phillip Jacques is a Pac-12 Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on