The Jaguars WR1 is starting to garner a little more buzz with his preseason performances and blossoming connection with new QB Nick Foles. This past preseason game, Dede Westbrook drew 7 of Foles’ 10 targets. In return, he reeled in four receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown — right after taking a massive hit from Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Westbrook’s stock is certainly on the rise thanks to the upgrade in his quarterback from last year. Going from the likes of Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler as your quarterback, to former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles is going to greatly help the Jaguars offense. Foles can move the ball and he’s going to be feeding his talented WR1 a lot from the looks of it, which is very encouraging.
Everything is lining up towards a breakout year for Westbrook in 2019. He’s playing with the best quarterback he’s had in Jacksonville, is racking up the targets and receptions in preseason and is drawing praise from coaches. OC John DeFilippo says that Westbrook is the best route runner he’s ever been around. Pretty high standard coming from a guy who was just coaching the likes of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
Just about a month ago, Westbrook was going around the 9th round in drafts but now he’s currently going around the 7th/mid 7th round. He’s looking like an ideal WR3 with the chance to break out and raise his ceiling into WR2 territory. With Jacksonville adding no key additional weapons to their receiving core, Westbrook should thrive as the lead receiver.
Dede is currently our WR31 (+7 vs ECR).
