Will the Jaguars select a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft?

Would the Jacksonville Jaguars consider taking a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft if management believes the player can help this team win?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in an enviable position heading to free agency in March and the NFL draft in April.

Having two starting quarterbacks on the roster gives new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden many options in terms of how he will install his game plan this coming season. Things could be worse than having both Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles on your roster knowing each one could be leading the team in 2020.

But for story purposes, this is not about feeling good about the Jaguars quarterback position, rather which one gives this team the best chance to win on Sunday.

Gruden is being asked to redefine a run-heavy offense and combine the aspects of his west coast style – which relies more on short and intermediate passes to move the ball downfield. There are weapons on the roster that should make the transition smooth, but as we’ve said before, more playmakers are needed at wide receiver, tight end, and another running back to add balance to the rushing attack.

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Fans and the media have not heard from Gruden. What he has to say in his preliminary press conference should give us an idea of how he will attack this offseason in preparation for 2020. We don’t know which way he’s leaning in terms of his desire for a veteran under center who has a proven winning track record, or the upstart youngster, who had a successful rookie campaign but is still learning the game on the fly.

Or, maybe there is someone else who factors into this dance. The former Washington Redskins head coach and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator may want his own guy thrown in the mix. Everything right now is hypothetical, but I did propose this scenario the other night while talking to a couple of sports radio friends down in South Florida.

With the Jaguars coaching staff working on a one-year deal, the team must show enough improvement to warrant another year in North Florida or the roster must stink so bad team owner Shad Khan tears everything down and starts over. That means the Jaguars are in the hunt for the top overall pick in the 2021 Draft. Then somebody like Trevor Lawrence of Clemson comes into play.

There is another scenario that’s out there that might split the foundation in terms of whether this is the right move or not, especially with the 2020 Draft right around the corner.

Jacksonville has two first-round picks. The first one is almost a guarantee to be a player to help the defense of line, at linebacker, in the secondary or one of the top tackles in the first round.

The second pick is a little bit more of a mystery and I have to wonder if somebody like Justin Herbert of Oregon is on the board do the Jaguars take a flyer on that pick?

Yes, you read that correctly. Herbert would’ve been one of the top picks in last year’s Draft had he come out. He was also a highlight reel at the Senior Bowl the past week. His stock is sure to soar.

It’s intriguing if nothing else.

The Jaguars can move on from Nick Foles after the season, especially if he is not named the starter. Minshew is still a mystery because we don’t know if he can elevate his game yet from what he showed last season. Herbert is one of the most NFL-ready quarterbacks in this Draft. He also offers this organization a franchise-type player to build around.

It was suggested to me that the Jaguars should keep their first pick and grab the best player available that fills a need because there are many. And with the second pick, wait to see if there is a trade offer to accrue more draft capital. I’m not against that theory at all, but I also think if there is a quarterback on the board who is better than the two already on the team’s roster, Jacksonville shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

The Jaguars are in “win now” mode but it should not mean the organization moves away from planning for the future. Finding the best available talent if paramount to making the jump from pretender to contender.

I like the two quarterbacks on the roster, but again if there is another player out there this organization believes gives them a better chance to win in the future, the pick must be made. I’m curious to see if that’s an option given the current situation in Jacksonville.

It should be. And if it isn’t, then the front office might as well already give up on the 2020 season.