Jacksonville Jaguars rookie wideout Dede Westbrook had a late start to his first year in the NFL. He was on IR the first 10 games of the season with a core muscle injury he sustained after the second preseason game. Westbrook played through the injury most of the preseason. He suffered a setback in the final exhibition game and had to have surgery to start the year.
Jaguars expect a bigger contribution from Dede Westbrook in 2018
Fully recovered from his core muscle injury, the Jaguars hope their rookie wideout can play a full season in 2018.
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Westbrook played his first regular season game in Week 11. The fourth-round pick made an immediate impact on the Jaguars’ passing game. He finished the season with 27 catches on 51 targets for 339 yards and a touchdown in seven games. He was targeted six or more times in every game except one during that span. Westbrook also led the Jaguars’ receiving corps in the AFC Wild Card win over the Buffalo Bills with five catches for 48 yards.
Looking ahead to 2018
The Jaguars are excited to see their 110th pick contributing in the playoffs. They are hoping he can stay healthy and play a full season in 2018. Westbrook seems to have the core injury fully behind him. He will certainly help build a Jaguars passing game that struggled in 2017.
Fantasy Slant
Westbrook was not on many fantasy radars last season because he missed so many games. Owners that picked him up at the end of the season were happy with the results however. He will be a much hotter commodity next season. He should come off the boards around the ninth round.
