Jarett

Dillard

Dillard was on the bubble even before Jacksonville brought aboard Laurent Robinson, Lee Evans and Justin Blackmon, so his release is hardly a surprise. The 2009 fifth-round pick was given a chance to start down the stretch last season, but responded by catching more than three passes just twice. Dillard finished the year with 29 grabs for 292 yards and a score after missing all of 2010 with a toe injury. Constantly banged up and lacking difference-making talent, Dillard’s NFL future looks dim at age 26.

For now, it looks like Dillard has been tabbed as the man to replace waived Jason Hill in the starting lineup. If that sticks, we’d expect Cecil Shorts to rotate in plenty. Still, this Jags’ passing game is one to avoid in fantasy. Blaine Gabbert is completing just 48.5 percent of his passes and has thrown six touchdowns all year.

Dillard supposedly has “big play ability,” but we’d never know in Blaine Gabbert’s incompetent attack. Add Dillard to the list of receivers you don’t care about in Jacksonville.

Dillard flunked his audition for a 2012 starting role, dropping a pass and muffing a punt return that led to a Michael Turner touchdown. He’s unworthy of a roster spot even in the deepest of Dynasty leagues.

The Jaguars’ receiving corps was bad enough before Mike Thomas (concussion) and Cecil Shorts (hamstring) went down. Now they are down to borderline NFL players and special teamers. Even the most desperate of owners can do better than rolling the dice on this passing game.

Dillard was an every-down receiver and did well to work back to the ball on a couple Blaine Gabbert scrambles. Still, he’s done nothing to show us that he should be a starter in 2012. Dillard has now topped three catches just twice all season. The Jaguars must upgrade their receiving corps in the offseason.

Forced into the starting lineup due to Jason Hill’s ineffectiveness, the 2009 fifth-rounder topped 50 yards just once all season. Finishing with 29 receptions, 292 yards, and one touchdown, Dillard will have to fight for a roster spot in 2012.

Mike Thomas (concussion) and rookie Cecil Shorts (hamstring) went out with in-game injuries, and Dillard was the last man standing for Jacksonville. Chastin West and Kassim Osgood were the only other healthy wideouts for much of the game, and neither cleared 25 yards. Continue to avoid the Jaguars’ passing game when they visit the Falcons in Week 15.

Modestly talented but dogged by injuries in his career, the 26-year-old Dillard can play special teams and profiles as a No. 4 NFL receiver. He’s entering a deep group in Detroit, obviously, and will be hard pressed to make the club.

Still only 26, Dillard is skilled enough to hang around in the NFL, but simply couldn’t crack Detroit’s deep receiver corps. He caught only two passes for 13 yards in three preseason games. He might not be an immediate waiver claim, but should appear in a game at some point this season. He’s an adept special teamer.