Cecil Shorts

Someone has to finish last, and in the context of per-play efficiency last year, it was Shorts, who managed a meager 5.1 YPT (41st among the NFL's 41 100-target receivers). While Shorts played in a terrible passing attack, his mark was almost a full yard worse than that of No. 40 James Jones (in Oakland), and Jones was nearly half a yard behind No. 39 Andre Johnson. Nonetheless, Shorts signed a two-year deal with the Texans this offseason and should start opposite DeAndre Hopkins and catch passes from the winner of the Brian Hoyer-Ryan Mallett battle. At 6-0, 202, Shorts has just average size, but he ran a brisk 4.35 40 at his Pro Day after a technique adjustment from his poor showing at the Combine. Shorts has flashed big-play ability — five catches of 40-plus in 2012 — but has also had durability issues, missing games in each of his four NFL seasons.

After missing time with concussions in 2012, Shorts dealt with groin and shoulder injuries last year, causing him to miss three games outright and the majority of two others. At 6-0, 202 and with good speed (while he ran a modest 4.59 40 at the NFL Combine, he was timed at 4.35 at his Pro Day after a technique adjustment), Shorts has made his share of big plays when healthy (five catches for 40-plus in 2012). But Shorts is currently rehabbing from December groin surgery, and in the meantime the Jaguars took two receivers, Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson in the second round of this year’s draft. Should Shorts return at 100 percent by training camp as expected, he’d still be the team’s probable top target. But even with Justin Blackmon likely out of the picture, there will be competition for that role, and Shorts will have to improve upon last year’s dismal per-play average (6.3 YPT, 36th) and 10 drops (T. 2nd).

Justin Blackmon may have had the star pedigree and 236-yard game last year, but it was Shorts who had four 100-yard games and was by far the more efficient and reliable receiver. Shorts averaged 17.8 YPC (2nd) and 9.3 YPT (8th) despite playing with arguably the worst quarterbacks in the league east of Arizona. At 6-0, 202, Shorts has decent size and enough speed to beat defenses deep (17 catches for 20-plus, and five for 40-plus on just 105 targets). While his timed speed at the NFL Combine (4.6) was below par, he ran a 4.35 at his Pro Day after adjusting his technique. Shorts also saw a fair number of red-zone targets (16), but that was with the prior coaching regime and with Maurice Jones-Drew injured most of the year, so it might not mean much. Shorts should vie with Blackmon to be the team's top target, but while Blackmon serves his suspension for the first four games, Shorts should have the role all to himself. It's worth noting Shorts suffered two concussions during the latter part of last year and eventually wound up on injured reserve. At press time, he's symptom free, and it shouldn't impact his status, but concussions have a tendency to recur, and every subsequent one adds greater long-term risk, a factor the Jaguars and Shorts would undoubtedly take into account should he suffer another.

Shorts had an outstanding rookie training camp, but the wheels fell off his bus once the regular season began as he tallied two receptions for 30 yards and one touchdown. Despite the abysmal totals, Shorts is expected to make the final 53 as he began to show chemistry with QB Blaine Gabbert down the stretch and is working with a new WR coach in Jerry Sullivan. Even if reports out of training camp indicate Shorts looks ready to make an impact, temper your expectations; with Justin Blackmon, Laurent Robinson and Mike Thomas in the mix at receiver, Shorts may not receive enough opportunity to make a considerable fantasy impact in his sophomore season.

Shorts boasts good receiving fundamentals, but may face a significant learning curve in training camp due to the low level of competition he played against in college. Still, if he shows any sort of potential, the Jags' receiving talent is thin at best, so he will be given every opportunity to succeed. Don't expect him to start out of the gate, but long-term, he could be a decent possession receiver.