Player Spotlight - Jakeem Grant - NEW WRITER FEATURE - Ron Hiatt's Player Profiles!

By: Ron Hiatt

In 5 years, Jakeem Grant has had 2 head coaches and 4 offensive coordinators and has been underused in this time. Grant, a clear play-maker with speed has had limited use despite the threat of a big play at any time. Tua Tagovailoa has made a name for himself as one of the most accurate quarterbacks and has experience throwing to guys like Grant.
 
Jakeem Grant has had flashes of what could be, like his game vs the Patriots going over Malcolm Butler for a touchdown thrown by Jay Cutler back in 2017. However, Grant has also shown flashes of dropping passes. Despite the brilliance at times, he never gets more than a handful of targets each game leaving fans to wonder if he is just a gadget player/return man.
 
In 2020 Grant’s per game snaps range, yet do not go higher than 33. New England 33 snaps 53%, Buffalo 10 snaps 13%, Jacksonville 8 snaps 13%, Seattle 28 snaps 39%, 49’ers 14 snaps 21%, NYJ 20 snaps 36%.
 
The targets are more glaring of the under-usage with nothing higher than 5. New England 3 targets 3 catches, Buffalo 1 target 1 catch, Jacksonville 1 target 1 catch. Seattle 5 targets 3 catches, 49ners 3 targets 1 catch, NYJ 4 targets 4 catches.
 
Respectively, that is a catch percentage of New England 100%, Buffalo 100%, Jacksonville 100%, Seattle 39%, 49’ers 33%, NYJ 100%. Some of those no catches are not drops, they are inaccurate throws with the 49’ers game his worse game on offense. Grant led all Dolphins receivers in the Jets game in catches with 4, yards 48, and all-purpose yards with 154.

For the season to date Grant has 16 targets, 13 catches, a catch percentage of 81.3%, 136 yards, a 10.5 yards per catch, and passer rating while targeted of 102.1.
 
Grant is an extremely hard worker in off-seasons working on all aspects of his craft with Wide Receivers coach David Robinson (@drobalwaysopen) who also works with Dez Bryant, Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown, and Chris Godwin to name a few.

Held back last year but NOT THIS YEAR!!! I am a RECEIVER □□□ pic.twitter.com/bL4yITHaDs

— Jakeem Grant (@_TheDreamIsHere) May 21, 2020

Grant, over the past two training camps, has stood out as easily the hardest worker while consistently beating corners. Grant has even gotten with Dolphins punter to work on fielding punts to hone his skills.
 
Jakeem Grant is a family man, a father of twin daughters and a son at home and a family culture that Flores is building with Dolphins. That family atmosphere is easily seen at practice and drills with Grant following Parker around like a little brother, or nephew more specifically. DeVante Parker even made a character based on Grant for his children’s series Uncle ‘Vante.
 
Grant, I predict will be the number one beneficiary of Tua being named the starter. Grant flourished in college with Patrick Mahomes under center and will with Tua under center. Grant fits Tua’s play style more than previous quarterbacks in his 5 years with the Dolphins. I have visions of Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle like plays for Grant with Tua under center as “The Dream is Here.”

Check out more great artwork and player backgrounds from @2PickNeedham! Give him a follow and and check out his great work!