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The Jacksonville Jaguars may or may not need a quarterback after this season — that all depends on how Gardner Minshew can play despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 and a lackluster offense.
ESPN’s Todd McShay released a ridiculously early mock draft and he thinks Jacksonville will go after a quarterback at the top of the first round.
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Lawrence is a once-in-a-decade type of quarterback prospect who currently has our highest Scouts Inc. grade on a QB since Andrew Luck in 2012 (99). Jacksonville dealt Nick Foles in the offseason, leaving it with just Gardner Minshew II and Mike Glennon, and Lawrence would step right in for the Jaguars as an immediate game-breaking starter. With a big arm, great mobility for his 6-foot-6 frame, excellent poise under pressure and off-the-charts intangibles, it wouldn’t be long before he was among the game’s best.
17. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Jaguars focused on defense with both first-round picks this past April (CJ Henderson and K’Lavon Chaisson). Then they landed Lawrence as their quarterback here. So it makes perfect sense to get another weapon for the offense with Jacksonville’s second Day 1 selection. If Etienne is available, he could be the answer at running back, with Leonard Fournette potentially heading out of Duval County. But I think it makes more sense to capitalize on the pool of talented passcatchers in this range, giving Lawrence another target opposite DJ Chark Jr., especially with Dede Westbrook, Chris Conley and Keelan Cole all playing the final years of their contracts. Olave’s wheels pop on tape, and his ability to find separation, pluck the ball in stride and transition upfield would be appreciated in an offense that was No. 26 in points scored in 2019 (18.8 per game).
The top overall pick in April, huh? That’s quite a fall and would historically be the worst season in franchise history. I think the only way this team gets the top pick is if they package both first round picks together and climb the board. This roster is not good, but it’s not No. 1 overall bad. I’d honestly be more surprised by a No. 1 overall pick than I would a playoff push by this team.
As far as the picks, if we’re No. 1 overall then Minshew is obviously not it and I’d be fine taking the top quarterback in the class.
Let me know in the comments how you like these first two picks.