Big Cat Country Q&A: Should the Jaguars trade Gardner Minshew?

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Let’s answer some Jacksonville Jaguars questions with NFL free agency in the rear view mirror!

Today we’re talking about trading away Gardner Minshew, free agent wide receivers, NFL Draft plans, and more.

Ben from Berea, OH

Q: Would you rather see Jacksonville sign Juju-Smith Schuster or Kenny Golladay?

A: I think I’d rather see Kenny Golladay signed. Either one would be vying for the No. 3 spot behind D.J. Chark and Marvin Jones and I just like what Golladay can do. Juju would be fine, but I don’t think he wants to be a WR3. Golladay would embrace that role and his specific skillset — and the routes he succeeds with — would match better.

Dexter from Forfar, Scotland

Q: What do you think we’ll do with the tight end position?

A: Draft Pat Freiermuth at the top of the second round. Urban Meyer sounded pissed in his Friday morning press conference and he talked at length about how he sees the tight end group and what they’re lacking. They’ll “overdraft” Freiermuth which is fine because aside from Kyle Pitts, he’s the only bonafide TE1 available.

Jimmy from St. Cloud, FL

Q: I feel like Josh Oliver had a high ceiling but just kept getting injured. Do you think we should’ve kept him?

A: No. Josh Oliver was not worth a roster spot, let alone a very high third round pick. He’s not good and was a classic case of Dave Caldwell trying to be the smartest guy in the room.

Susanna from Columbus, OH

Q: Did we miss on Curtis Samuel or were we as fans just incorrectly assuming that Urban Meyer wanted him based on their prior relationship? If it was a miss, it would be especially concerning to me considering how recently he played for Ohio State.

A: It was a miss, but I think it was a combination of undervaluing him as a playmaker and offering too little money. If we had signed Curtis Samuel, I would have been really pleased with the Jaguars’ free agency class. Now? I think it’s solid. Good, even. But it lacked a true splash that this team desperately needs all over the roster.

Duke from Jacksonville, FL

Q: Why should the Jaguars trade Gardner Minshew? I wouldn’t.

A: I wouldn’t either. He’s a low-end starter and a high-end backup on a cost-controlled salary for the next two seasons. Let him walk, but don’t give him up for peanuts. Gardner Minshew would start on at least one NFL team. If you have that as your backup quarterback, you have a good quarterback.

Thomas from Gainesville, FL

Q: Realistically speaking, how many upgrades on current starters will it take to get both the offense and defense playing at an “average” NFL level? Also, how many current starters are considered “average” or better?

A: If Trevor Lawrence is as good as we hope, that will go a long way. You need to rebuild the defensive line and secondary too. I think this team should be challenging for the AFC South in 2022.

Randy from Canyon Country, CA

Q: With free agency out of the way to a certain point, how do you see Jaguars moving forward with the draft? Do we draft an offensive lineman? A wide receiver? A playmaker on defense? Do we draft a tight end in the second round or keep fixing the defensive line?

A: I’m glad you asked! Demetrius wrote an excellent mock draft based on what the Jaguars did in free agency that you can read here.