What Ace Sanders' Release Means for Present, Future of Jaguars WR Corps

Ace Sanders felt the sting of being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on July 17, and it's fair to say that the move surprised a good bit of the fans and media. However, Sanders' release had been a real possibility since last year, and it was coming at some point.

The 5'7", 178-pound receiver/punt returner spent two seasons with the Jaguars, although his rookie season saw his peak. He totaled 484 yards receiving with one touchdown catch in 2013, and it seemed like he was set up for a bright future.

However, Sanders started his sophomore season absent from the team after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He missed four games and then proceeded to make little to no impact on the offense (just 55 receiving yards in 2014), and he didn't deliver in the return game like he was expected to.

However, despite his averaging only seven yards per punt return in 2014, it seemed like the Jaguars were going to stick with Sanders. He has shown some promise, but it's fair to say that he didn't improve as much as they'd hoped—and they felt they had better options.

Most fans will likely look back on Sanders with indifference, but his time with the Jaguars isn't completely forgettable: Sanders' 21-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Todman, seen below, will forever be remembered as one of the few bright spots of the 2013 season:

But Sanders is gone, and it is now time to move on. His release means the Jaguars have already started cutting down on their crowded wide receiver corps (it's now down to 11), and it sets the tone for the slot receiver position as well as the return game.

In the broader picture of the receiver group, it now means that some of the undrafted free agents and more recent pickups now have more of a chance to make the squad, should they impress in training camp.

One of the more direct results of Sanders' release is that rookie Rashad Greene has one fewer competitor to worry about. Sanders saw time on the inside and the outside while in Jacksonville, but his size and skill set typically set up for a role inside.

And while he played on both the inside and outside in Jacksonville, will he find a spot somewhere else? As NFL.com's Ian Rapoport tweeted, Sanders wasn't claimed off waivers and is now a free agent:

While fellow receivers Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns can play inside if necessary, it's not preferable, which sets up Greene to be the sole receiver responsible for playing inside.

Another player directly affected by the release of Sanders is free-agent signing Bryan Walters. Walters spent the last two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and hoped to make a bigger impact in Jacksonville.

With Sanders gone, Walters has a better chance to get reps on offense, but he has an even better chance of winning the punt-return job for the Jaguars. Sanders was the Jaguars' go-to punt returner, and Walters will look to step into those shoes.

Walters averaged 7.6 yards per return in 2014, not much better than Sanders. So while Walters has experience and is a Super Bowl champion, is he that much of an upgrade?

Undrafted rookie Corey Grant probably doesn't think so. Grant, who is a running back and returner, will also look to pounce on a vacant roster spot and hope that his training-camp performances can convince the Jaguars to make him the starting punt returner.

Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Grant offers blazing speed (4.28-second 40-yard dash) and, with the right development and playing time, could turn out to be a dangerous return man. However, he'll have to battle Walters and prove that he should be the one to claim the new roster spot.

Sanders' release leaves an impact that some may not have expected. He wasn't a vital player to the team, but his absence leaves open spots for other receivers and returners to step into.

The Jaguars don't have the strongest receiving corps—and some outsiders may think that Sanders could've offered something in that regard—but the team has committed to the current group of young receivers in Greene, Lee, Hurns and Allen Robinson.

It's somewhat sad to see Sanders go, but it's a necessity. Cutting the loose weight is the only way the team will meet its goals in the NFL, and this is just another part of that process.

What do you think? Did the Jaguars make the right move by cutting Sanders? Answer the poll and comment on why or why not below!

All stats were provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.

Evan Reier is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter @evanreier.