After months of speculation and rumors, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded quarterback Gardner Minshew to the Philadelphia Eagles for a sixth-round selection that can become a fifth if he plays a certain amount of time in 2021.
Looking back, it wasn’t shocking to see the Jags part ways with Minshew, as head coach Urban Meyer is overseeing a rebuild and is bringing in his own players. Moreover, there was no room for the 2019 sixth-round pick with Trevor Lawrence now entrenched as the number one quarterback on the depth chart.
Meyer might not be done though. He and general manager Trent Baalke already showed that they won’t hesitate to move on from players that were acquired by the old regime. The team’s brass traded cornerback Josiah Scott and tight end Josh Oliver earlier this year. Although the Jaguars aren’t in need of extra picks, they would surely welcome any additional assets that can help them keep rebuilding.
Here are four players the Jaguars could trade before the start of the 2021 NFL season.
Jacksonville Jaguars player who could be traded No. 1 – Taven Bryan
The Jaguars’ coaching staff likes defensive tackle Taven Bryan. Defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi believes he has an elite skillset and talent. Also, defensive coordinator Joe Cullen said that if the Florida product plays the way he did against the New Orleans Saints, they will find a place for him on the roster.
Keep in mind that Bryan has been a non-factor over the last three years, posting a measly 71 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks. There are defensive tackles that can post that kind of production in one season! If the Jaguars waive the former Gator, he will likely have suitors, as teams are always looking for reclamation projects.
As a former first-round pick, Bryan could garner interest and the Jaguars may be better off trading him for a late-round selection instead of releasing him if he’s no longer part of their long-term plans.
Jacksonville Jaguars player who could be traded No. 2 – Sidney Jones
The Jaguars lacked depth at cornerback last season, so they spent the offseason revamping the unit. Besides bringing back Tre Herndon and Sidney Jones, they signed 2019 Pro Bowl selection Shaquill Griffin. If that wasn’t enough, they also selected Tyson Campbell with the 33rd overall pick in this year’s draft.
The Jags’ cornerback room is far from elite but they have depth, so they could afford to shop Sidney Jones. The 2017 second-round pick has enjoyed a career revival since joining the Black and Teal in last year. In 2020, he appeared in nine games with six starts, logging 26 total tackles, one forced fumble, nine passes defensed, and two interceptions. Moreover, he’s managed to stay healthy in 2021 after dealing with injuries in the past three years.
Sophomore C.J. Henderson will most likely start opposite Griffin in Week 1 of the regular season. Campbell needs to work on his technique but once he’s ready, he could have a big role on defense. Chris Claybrooks, who will also moonlight as a returner, could also earn playing time. Last season, he appeared in 33 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. That total could go up in 2021.
The downside of trading Jones is that the Jaguars could quickly run out of options at cornerback. Tre Herndon is currently nursing an MCL injury and is week-to-week. Tyson Campbell has struggled during the preseason and still has work to do before he earns an expanded role on defense. On the other hand, if the team’s brass believes Herdon will return to the lineup soon and Campbell will overcome his growing pains, they should shop Jones around, and see what they can get in exchange.
Jacksonville Jaguars player who could be traded No. 3 – Jarrod Wilson
Safety is another position the Jaguars addressed this offseason. They re-signed Josh Jones, locked up Rayshawn Jenkins and Rudy Ford in free agency, and drafted Andre Cisco in Round 3 of this year’s selection meeting. All of them will join sophomore Daniel Thomas and veteran Jarrod Wilson in the team’s crowded safety room.
Unless the Jaguars decide to carry six safeties into the regular season, they may have a “burden of choice” kind of situation at hand. It’s a given Jenkins will be on the roster in Week 1 after signing a four-year contract worth $35 million in the offseason. Josh Jones has started both preseason games this year. Cisco should make the team, as he’s being groomed to become a starter. Rudy Ford could also see time on defense and Daniel Thomas is worth developing after showing flashes in 2020.
Teams in need of a safety should give the Jaguars a call. Jarrod Wilson has started 28 games over the last two seasons. The Michigan product is set to become a free agent next offseason, so the team’s brass could explore a potential trade and try to get something in return instead of letting him hit the free-agent market and receive nothing.
Wilson has posted Pro Football Focus grades of 68.7 or higher in four of the past five years. Nevertheless, he may have already reached his ceiling and the team may want to see what they have in their younger safeties.
Jacksonville Jaguars player who could be traded No. 4 – Collin Johnson
The Jaguars have a well-rounded wide receiver room. Not only do they have talent but they have depth as well. They have a solid trio of starters in DJ Chark Jr, Laviska Shenault Jr., and Marvin Jones Jr. Sophomore Collin Johnson showed flashes last season and both Tavon Austin and Laquon Treadwell have impressed in training camp.
The top three spots on the depth chart will go to Chark, Shenault, and the Jags might carry six receivers into the regular season, so who will get the other three? Both Treadwell and Austin have a legitimate shot to make the roster. Also, former first-round pick Phillip Dorsett is still with the team, so Jacksonville could trade Collin Johnson and still have plenty of options at the position.
Johnson appeared in just 23 percent of Jacksonville’s offensive snaps in 2020. However, he made the most of his chances and hauled in eight receptions for 162 yards and one touchdown in a span of two games. Jaguars legend Jimmy Smith took notice of the Texas product and spoke highly of him a few months ago.
"There’s a guy on that roster named Collin Johnson, out of Texas, who is 6-foot-5 that nobody is talking about. He’s going to be a monster. I’ve been communicating with him, supporting him, helping keep his head up. Watch out for this guy, Collin Johnson."
The fact that Smith endorsed Johnson is worth praising. There’s no doubt the former Longhorn has the potential to turn into an NFL starter. But he may not be able to flourish in the Jaguars’ crowded receiver room.