Jaguars rookie WR Collin Johnson has his breakthrough game

Jaguars rookie WR Collin Johnson had his breakthrough game.

Every week, it seems like yet another rookie wide receiver from the vaunted class of 2020 helps this group live up to its billing as one of the best ever. In week 12, for the Jacksonville Jaguars, it was former Texas Longhorns receiver Collin Johnson who finally had his breakthrough game.

Johnson was a fifth-round pick (165th overall) for the Jaguars in the 2020 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Johnson had a strong four years with the Texas Longhorns where he caught 188 passes in four seasons with 15 touchdowns and 14 yards per reception.

His productivity in college, size, and ability to “out-rebound” defenders were among his top qualities coming to the NFL from the Longhorns program, and for the Jaguars, he was a nice bonus selection on day three of the 2020 draft after already grabbing Colorado star Laviska Shenault near the top of round two.

With Mike Glennon out there slinging the rock on Sunday, Johnson showed off some of his big-play ability.

He finished the game with four receptions for 96 yards and that 46-yard catch and run for a touchdown.

He had just seven catches coming into this game for the Jaguars but hopefully, for Jacksonville, this is a sign of things yet to come.

With general manager Dave Caldwell out of the picture, it will be a new regime that gets the chance to oversee the development of some of the young talent on this roster, but Johnson always seemed like a player the Jaguars stole at least a round later than they should have been able to.

Looking ahead, if Johnson can put together some more performances like this, he will be able to carve out a nice role for himself in 2021 and beyond. As a fifth-round pick, expectations are typically that you come in and provide some ability on special teams and maybe develop into a role player.

For this year’s wide receiver class, a fifth-round pick could wind up being a focal point of your offense. Just ask the Chicago Bears about Darnell Mooney.

Johnson’s experience at Texas and long frame give him the chance to be perhaps Jacksonville’s version of Allen Lazard.