The Jacksonville Jaguars may have a future star in Justin Blackmon, but after being suspended for off the field issues his future is up in the air and heading into 2015 he can apply for reinstatement and if that happens and he is back in the league, Blackmon could be a potential trade target and fantasy football keeper into next season based on his potential.
Blackmon has been limited to just 20 games since the start of 2012 while dealing with off the field issues, including substance abuse and a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge. After the season ended, general manager Dave Caldwell said that the team is not sure how much or if Blackmon will contribute in 2015, but that there is "optimism" that he will be back. The Jaguars are deep with young receivers even with Cecil Shorts hitting free agency, as they have Allen Hurns, Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson.
According to the Florida Time Union, Jaguars owner Shad Khan said that he is "very optimistic" about Blackmon being back for the 2015 season. Khan said that Blackmon has done a good job of getting his life back on track after dealing with various off the field issues and with Cecil Shorts likely leaving in free agency, he gives the team another solid receiver. The team also is dealing with a fracture to Allen Robinson's foot and he may not be ready for the start of the season or may have some lingering issues.
Caldwell called getting Blackmon back a "luxury" and that the team hopes to have an answer about his status by the NFL draft. Blackmon has had his issues off the field, but he has shown some strong potential on the field, putting up six touchdowns and three 100-yard games in two seasons. Blackmon had 64 catches for 865 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games, while in 2013 he had 29 catches for 415 yards and one touchdown. Blake Bortles can use all the talent that he can and Blackmon has shown that he has star potential, but he has to prove he can take care of things off the field as well.
According to ESPN.com writer Michael DiRocco, the Jaguars don't "need" Blackmon to be successful in 2015, but having back sure would help. Blackmon showed some great potential and with a solid slate of young receivers for Bortles, he could be the key to turning the offense around. Blackmon has not played since the 2014 season, but with Khan's words and the team being supportive, he could be ready to return and contribute next season.
The Jaguars have been a bad team for a long time, but they have some strong young talent and if Bortles turns out to be the real deal, they could be good in a few years. The team ranked 31st in passing yards per game while going 3-13 last season and getting Blackmon in any capacity should help out with that. The team went 1-5 against their division and the defense ranked 27th in rushing yards allowed per game and now Gus Bradley will try and turn all that around this season.