Jaguars prepared for emerging DJ Chark to receive extra attention from defenses

DJ Chark has been on fire all season. Will defenses start to shift their attention to him?

Five games into the 2019 season, second-year wide receiver DJ Chark has put his stamp on the NFL. 

After a difficult rookie season where he totaled only 14 receptions for 174 yards, he has become the Jacksonville Jaguars top playmaker in 2019 and is emerging as one of the league top young receivers. Through five games he has 27 catches for 485 yards and five touchdowns, leading the NFL with an 18.0 yards per reception average for wide receivers with 20 catches or more. 

And with that offensive explosion will come more attention from opposing defensive coordinators. No longer will Chark be an afterthought. Instead, he now has to be a primary focus of the opposing team's game plan.

“Yes, you anticipate that. There is no doubt," Jaguars offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said Thursday when asked about Chark potentially seeing double coverage as the season goes on.

What is the DeFilippo's plan when defenses do show Chark that ultimate sign of respect? Simply trust his other skill players, such as Dede Westbrook and Chris Conley.

"I really … I have said this for a long time since I have been here. I really like our skill players on this team. I like all our players, but we are talking [about] doubling receivers now, tight ends," he said. 

"We have guys that can win one-on-one matchups if they try and bracket certain players. "

The fact that it is now even a question whether opposing defensive coordinators should divert the majority of their attention to stopping Chark is a testament to his development as a player. 

Through 5 weeks D.J. Chark Jr. now has the 3rd best overall grade among WRs (90.2).

He has caught all 27 catchable passes with no drops.
He has 8 receptions of 20+ yds, which is tied most in the NFL with only Amari Cooper. #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/L3RtaF3n1C

— PFF JAX Jaguars (@PFF_Jaguars) October 8, 2019

By his words, he worked hard to mature and work on his craft in the offseason. And by head coach Doug Marrone's account, Chark's work-ethic has helped elevate his game to where it is now.

"I think that DJ [Chark Jr.] has high expectations of himself. I think he’s worked extremely hard and it always goes back to that. People can only see just the on-field performance," Marrone said this week.

Is the prospect of defensive coordinators diverting extra attention to Chark something the Jaguars coaching staff wants to happen? Of course not. He is, by far, their most dangerous and consistent skill player this season and the argument can be made he has been the best performer on the entire team this season. 

But with that territory will come an adapting landscape. And as that landscape changes, DeFilippo will have to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for all scenarios. 

And if you ask him, there are still scenarios where Chark is bracketed by coverage but the offense still has an advantage.

"Does that make us concerned? Sure. Whenever someone tries to take one of your best players out of the game, that’s cause for concern and cause to try and game plan him where that can be alleviated as much as possible," he said. "But at the same time, I’m confident in our guys that we can win those one-on-one matchups if they do want to bracket certain guys, especially on third down."

That catch by @DJChark82 👀#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/1G2huyv0FA

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 6, 2019

But until defenses change how they cover Chark and attack the Jaguars offense, the hope is the emerging player continues to do his damage and continue to grow his confidence as a player.

"He’s playing well for us. We’re happy that he’s playing well and he’s playing with an air of confidence about him and it’s something that we hope to continue each week," Marrone said.