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Back at it again with a 2019 film breakdown and 2020 fantasy outlook. We're looking at 3rd year WR D.J. Chark.
Admittedly, I struggled to pinpoint who D.J Chark is as an NFL receiver. But I think I eventually got there for y'all.
Threaded below.
Admittedly, I struggled to pinpoint who D.J Chark is as an NFL receiver. But I think I eventually got there for y'all.
Threaded below.
Each breakdown covers the players top 4 statistical games of 2019.
Each look they get are placed into certain buckets (good or bad).
For Chark, we'll check out the following:
Wk 1 vs Kansas City
Wk 5 at Carolina
Wk 8 vs New York Jets
Wk 11 at Indianapolis
Let's get started
Each look they get are placed into certain buckets (good or bad).
For Chark, we'll check out the following:
Wk 1 vs Kansas City
Wk 5 at Carolina
Wk 8 vs New York Jets
Wk 11 at Indianapolis
Let's get started
STRENGTH #1
Size & Catch Radius
At 6'3, ~200lbs Chark offers great size as a downfield target for Minshew. His athleticism adds to his impressive catch radius. It's fun to see on display and arguably his best trait.
Size & Catch Radius
At 6'3, ~200lbs Chark offers great size as a downfield target for Minshew. His athleticism adds to his impressive catch radius. It's fun to see on display and arguably his best trait.
Fights through contact, flips his hips inside. Once he picks up speed, he runs right past the secondary.
Minshew lets this ball sail on him. DJ Chark high points and plucks the ball out of the air for the solid completion.
Just a stat padding throw before half. D.J Chark was used in a wide variety of route concepts in 2019. He's can be tough to bring down once he gets going.
I'd actually like to see them clearly define his role in the offense.
I'd actually like to see them clearly define his role in the offense.
Chark's body control and contested catch ability is on full display here.
Great job getting skinny along the sideline. Reminds me of Allen Robinson here.
Unfortunately it's ruled pushed out of bounds.
Great job getting skinny along the sideline. Reminds me of Allen Robinson here.
Unfortunately it's ruled pushed out of bounds.
Chark catches Tre Boston sleeping here. Finds the open space in the end zone.
Minshew lets this ball sail again, but when you're throwing to Chark you are afforded that margin of error.
Minshew lets this ball sail again, but when you're throwing to Chark you are afforded that margin of error.
Another display of his sizeable catch radius and difficulty he poses to tackle once he gets up to speed.
CONCERN #1
Consistency. Specifically when it comes to route running, short area quickness, and catch concentration. He's able to show glimpses of a polished skillset in these particular areas. However, he also has lapses as well.
Consistency. Specifically when it comes to route running, short area quickness, and catch concentration. He's able to show glimpses of a polished skillset in these particular areas. However, he also has lapses as well.
Here Chark is unable to attack the ball and allows the safety to crash down and thwart this attempt.
If he chops down on the route, he has the size to do so and still get hands on this ball.
If he chops down on the route, he has the size to do so and still get hands on this ball.
His burst off the line here is solid. However, there are several instances we'll look into where his release game needs to be invested into.
On this particular play, Chark failed to create separation or freeze the defender off his release with any sort of body feints or footwork.
He wins on this play by pushing off beyond the 5 yard zone.
He wins on this play by pushing off beyond the 5 yard zone.
Contested catch attempt
Under thrown ball here. Chark is late on tracking this ball back. Both of the DBs readjust and attack the ball before him.
CONCERN #2
Lateral Agility & Burst
Good example of once he gets going he can win to the edge but it takes him some time to get going.
Lateral Agility & Burst
Good example of once he gets going he can win to the edge but it takes him some time to get going.
Footwork efficiency and running technique is where Chark could improve upon in short spaces.
STRENGTH #2
Long speed. Similarly to his RB, Fournette. Once these two get ~10 yards into their run, they start to display great long speed.
Long speed. Similarly to his RB, Fournette. Once these two get ~10 yards into their run, they start to display great long speed.
I love these sort of deep/intermediate routes across the middle for Chark. Where it prioritizes rounded out routes for longer stems to allow Chark to run through his routes near his top speed.
Exceptional body control and concentration to catch this along the sidelines. He runs through the DB here to beat him to the ball.
If Chark can piece together a diverse release package, he'll take a step forward in production.
If Chark can piece together a diverse release package, he'll take a step forward in production.
You will notice in this thread that they used Chark on a considerable amount of outside screens and slants with modest success.
I love these long developing shallow crossers instead for Chark. Allow him to get to peak speed on these long shallow routes.
I love these long developing shallow crossers instead for Chark. Allow him to get to peak speed on these long shallow routes.
Chark was likely instructed to just run across the field to the corner pylon.
Tre Boston is way out of position at FS here and the slot DB is unable to keep up with Chark. TD.
Tre Boston is way out of position at FS here and the slot DB is unable to keep up with Chark. TD.
CONCERN #3
Release burst, footwork, and diversity
DJ Chark needs to develop his release game in order to compound what he already does well.
He often fails to create separation within 10 yards of the LOS and often opts to win by bruting his way past a DB.
Release burst, footwork, and diversity
DJ Chark needs to develop his release game in order to compound what he already does well.
He often fails to create separation within 10 yards of the LOS and often opts to win by bruting his way past a DB.
This is a problem because Chark will need to be reliant on chunk plays for production. Which he can do, but it also creates a shaky floor. He failed to register 9 pts (.5 PPR) in 6/12 healthy games. And 8/16 games total.
That's volatility I'm not a fan of.
That's volatility I'm not a fan of.
Once he establishes inside leverage, he allows the DB to take back that leverage by not clamping down on his route. Come back to the ball.
STRENGTH #3
Body Control & Contested Catch Concentration Downfield
Chark is a great fit for Minshew's play style. He's not afraid to put it out there and likes to push the envelope at times.
Let's check out some examples:
Body Control & Contested Catch Concentration Downfield
Chark is a great fit for Minshew's play style. He's not afraid to put it out there and likes to push the envelope at times.
Let's check out some examples:
Exceptional play right here. Probably the best I seen from him. Fights through contact in the end zone and perfectly tracks this ball over his head. The level of concentration to hold on here is impressive.
If you buy into Chark, this is it.
If you buy into Chark, this is it.
Wins outside leverage and retracks this ball back inside under the DB. The ball placement here and catch is so clean.
Chark does a good job not giving the DB a 'tell' when the ball is approaching to make a play on it.
Chark does a good job not giving the DB a 'tell' when the ball is approaching to make a play on it.
Finds a soft spot over the DB and brings this one in close to the sideline.
STRENGTH #4
Unscripted production. Minshew likes to scramble and make plays after the routes break down. Chark does a good job at finding open spaces and playing backyard style football.
Unscripted production. Minshew likes to scramble and make plays after the routes break down. Chark does a good job at finding open spaces and playing backyard style football.
Finds a spot at the back of the end zone. Poorly placed ball though.
Gets overtop the flat covering DB. He stacks the safety and cuts it toward the sideline in open space.
Chark notices the DB stays flat and is given a large space along the sideline. He actually slows down his step to not outrun the open space.
NOTEWORTHY:
DJ Chark was still utilized in the short and LOS areas. As mentioned, this is important to dress up his deep play ability. But with better short route utilization, he could see a boost in production.
DJ Chark was still utilized in the short and LOS areas. As mentioned, this is important to dress up his deep play ability. But with better short route utilization, he could see a boost in production.
Slant
Swing pass
End around
Pass at LOS
BOTTOM LINE:
Chark is an interesting talent. He has great size, speed and deep play ability to be a higher scoring producer. However, he isn't as polished or as complete of a receiver as some of his counterparts (McLaurin, AJ Brown, Robert Woods, DJ Moore).
Chark is an interesting talent. He has great size, speed and deep play ability to be a higher scoring producer. However, he isn't as polished or as complete of a receiver as some of his counterparts (McLaurin, AJ Brown, Robert Woods, DJ Moore).
I also think the Jaguars haven't quite established an ideal role for him. Whereas Tennessee is using AJ Brown quite well. These are all things that can be addressed and implemented during the offseason which I'm optimistic about.
Chark's biggest area to improve will be his release game. It will set up his deep play effectiveness and also allow him to create separation on those shorter routes.
Otherwise, I'd like to see him utilized on long shallow horizontal routes as a way to set up his shots downfield.
I haven't created WR rankings, but if I were to guess production:
80 // 1040~1120 // 7-11 TDs
= 186-229 fantasy pts (.5PPR)
= 208 pts is the median.
I haven't created WR rankings, but if I were to guess production:
80 // 1040~1120 // 7-11 TDs
= 186-229 fantasy pts (.5PPR)
= 208 pts is the median.
This would be good as the 11th WR in 2019. Similar to Allen Robinson in 2019.
At an ADP of WR23. He offers some pretty good value here with low-fringe WR1 ceiling and a safe floor that unless injured, would surprise me if he falls short of a top 20 WR finish.
At an ADP of WR23. He offers some pretty good value here with low-fringe WR1 ceiling and a safe floor that unless injured, would surprise me if he falls short of a top 20 WR finish.
However, his week to week performances are volatile and unless he can improve on his footwork and efficiency in the short areas of the field, will continue to be a boom/bust WR2. A great WR2 at that.
As someone who you can get in the 5th round.
As someone who you can get in the 5th round.
He's an ideal draft target for someone who opts for RBs early. Can draft 2-3 RBs and/or a WR1 + Elite TE/QB before getting him as a WR2.
Thanks for reading/watching. I hope you enjoyed!
For more of my breakdowns. You can find them on my linktree: https://linktr.ee/thefantasywire
I also post content in the r/fantasyfootball subreddit:
For more of my breakdowns. You can find them on my linktree: https://linktr.ee/thefantasywire
I also post content in the r/fantasyfootball subreddit:
