4 Jaguars veterans most impacted by 2021 NFL Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars now have a franchise quarterback.

You may or may not be wondering why James Robinson didn’t make this list even though the Jaguars drafted running back Travis Etienne with the 25th overall selection in 2021’s draft but the Illinois native will still have a heavy workload in 2021, so that leaves quarterback Gardner Minshew II as the Jaguars’ most affected veteran by the 2021 NFL Draft.

A sixth-round selection in 2019, Minshew had a solid rookie campaign, completing 285 of 470 passes for 3,271 yards with 21 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Alas, he wasn’t able to seize the starting job and was benched due to injuries and ineffectiveness last year. The Jaguars’ brass knew quarterback was the team’s biggest need, so they acquired Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in 2021’s draft.

The Clemson standout will most likely be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback on Day 1, so the chances of Minshew showing he can be the long-term solution at the position are over, and will be relegated to the bench. Even though other teams showed interest in trading for the Washington State product, this Jacksonville team decided to keep him, which goes on to show how much they value him, not just in a featured role.

Although Minshew is no longer be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback, he is a good back and probably one of the best in the league. If he works hard, who knows, he may be another shot down the road even if it isn’t in Jacksonville.