JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Wide receiver Parker Washington had a breakout season in 2025 and led the Jacksonville Jaguars in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Fellow receiver Brian Thomas Jr. led all three categories as a rookie in 2024. But if things go the way head coach Liam Coen envisions, there could be three different names atop each of those categories in 2026.
The plan is to have quarterback Trevor Lawrence spread the ball around because the offense is more effective when the passing game isn't focused on one receiver -- and it makes it harder for defenses to stop.
"It's obviously sometimes a good problem to have," Coen said. "These guys know that every one of them is going to have plays schemed for them. There's no question. All those guys will have that, and then it's just within the play, within the progressions, within the alerts, they're going to have to eat, as well. ... And I think that's the good thing about the group all being talented and having their own roles is within any given play, especially the way Trevor scrambles, every eligible is alive."
Washington, Thomas and Jakobi Meyers are the Jaguars' top three receivers in 2026, and each brings something a little different to the offense, a versatility Meyers said is the group's strength.
"Balance," he said. "That's the best way to describe us, honestly. I think we've got a very well-balanced room. ... We've got guys who are smart, first and foremost, [and] who understand what they're doing. And then second, can make a bunch of plays. So, I think we're in a good spot."
Thomas, with his 4.33 speed, stretches the field and can be a deep-ball threat. He struggled with drops and injuries in 2025 but had an encouraging offseason.
"When you can throw the ball over somebody's head, it's a threat," Coen said. "And it's something that we need."
The Jaguars traded for Meyers on Nov. 4, and he instantly helped spark an offense that was averaging 20.4 points, 212.3 passing yards and 321.1 total yards per game. The Jaguars' numbers increased to 31.3 points, 228.6 passing yards and 336 total yards per game after his arrival. There was instant trust between Meyers and Lawrence, who described Meyers as an "easy guy to throw to" because Meyers made what he was going to do with his route clear. Of Meyers' 42 catches, more than half (28) went for first downs -- the most of anyone on the team in that nine-game span.
"I hate to use the word reliable [because] I feel like it almost kind of knocks him down a peg, which is not the case," Coen said. "It's just you know he's going to do right. You know he's going to, the majority of the time, get open. He's so quarterback-friendly in that he understands concepts, I think, differently than most receivers."
Washington is a threat on all three levels and is good after the catch; a team-high 32.5% of his 847 receiving yards last season came after the catch. Washington averaged 14.6 yards per catch last season, but that number was a team-high 16.7 once Meyers joined the team.
There is also 2025 No. 2 pick Travis Hunter, who will be a starting cornerback but also a receiver on offense on select plays. The receivers are embracing the plan for a mix and look at it as a positive, even though that might mean sacrificing some stats at times.
"That makes this offense unique, and we've just been trying to fine-tune and really hone in on what each guy is great at," Washington said.
In his annual projections, ESPN senior fantasy football writer Mike Clay predicted the Jaguars' leaders in catches, yards and touchdowns. Using those and what I've seen during the preseason, let's look at what to expect ahead of the season kicking off Sunday against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium (1 p.m. ET).
Catches
Clay's projection:
1. Meyers (70)
2. Washington (64)
3. Thomas (57)
4. Hunter (38)
My take: This one isn't super surprising because Meyers was the Jaguars' leading receiver in 2025. He caught 42 passes on 61 targets in nine games. Washington was second in both categories (33 catches on 52 targets), though he missed one game because of a hip injury.
However, by the end of the season, Washington had emerged as Lawrence's top target. In the final four games (including the playoff loss to Buffalo), Washington led the Jaguars in targets (42), receptions (26), receiving yards (454), average per catch (17.5) and touchdown catches (three). No other player had more than 16 catches (Meyers) or 140 yards receiving (Meyers) in that stretch.
Washington was the offense's most impressive player in training camp, so he will challenge Meyers for the team lead.
Receiving yards
Clay's projection:
1. Thomas (860)
2. Washington (852)
3. Meyers (766)
4. Hunter (449)
My take: This offseason, Thomas worked on his hands, got stronger at the catch point and is in a much better headspace. Coen made it a priority for Lawrence and Thomas to work on stretching the field with deeper throws, and they showed in the spring that they had developed better chemistry with that.
If the Jaguars can push the ball down the field more with Thomas, things should open on the intermediate and shorter levels for Washington and Meyers. Washington's run-after-catch ability and toughness as a runner -- he had 158 receiving yards after first contact last season, and no one else on the Jaguars had more than 34 -- will help him pile up yards and compete for the lead in the category. Coen wanting the ball spread around more should keep the three receivers in the same range yardage-wise.
Receiving touchdowns
Clay's projection:
1. Meyers, Washington and Thomas (5)
4. Hunter (3)
My take: It's a tie! This is the hardest one to predict. The Jaguars added two tight ends in the draft -- Nate Boerkircher and Tanner Koziol -- and both are big red zone targets for Lawrence. Coen wants to use more 12 personnel with Brenton Strange and Boerkircher, and that should open more receiving opportunities for Strange.
Then there's the Hunter factor: He will be primarily a cornerback, but he will have a role on offense, and the Jaguars rotated him and Thomas on the field during camp when using three-receiver sets. Thomas looked so good in the spring and in training camp, and Coen said throwing the ball down the field is a priority in 2026. That should mean more production from Thomas, especially in TD catches.