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Gardner Minshew

Jaguars quarterback returns from COVID list

Gardner Minshew landed briefly on the COVID list, but he’s back now, and I have some interest in him as a late-round pick. He was surprisingly decent as a rookie, and the Jaguars could have a passer-friendly offense.

Minshew exceeded expectations as a rookie. In the 12 games he started, he averaged 237 passing yards, with 18 TDs versus only 4 interceptions. And he was sneaky good as a runner, chipping in an additional 28 yards per week. In typical fantasy leagues, he ranked 18th in per-game production when compared to the 32 quarterbacks who started at least half the time.

Now Jacksonville is bringing in Jay Gruden to serve as its offensive coordinator, and he tends to put together pass-oriented offenses. In his last seven full seasons, his teams have averaged 257 passing yards per game and 25.3 TD passes per season. Things started falling apart in Washington for him in 2018; in his previous six season (including his work in Cincinnati) his offenses averaged 266 passing yards per game and 27 TD passes per season.

The Jaguars seem to have some decent pass catchers, with DJ Chark leading the way.

I’m not saying Minshew is the secret pick who’ll win your league, but in a typical 12-team league, he seems to grade out as a serviceable second quarterback (and one who won’t necessarily be among the first 25 quarterbacks chosen).

He finished last season with a 91.2 passer rating. That was better than the three quarterbacks who were chosen in the first round (Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Dwayne Haskins).

In the last 10 years, 36 quarterbacks have attempted at least 200 passes as rookies. Only six of those players finished with high passer rating than Minshew.

ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS: PASSER RATING
YearPlayerPctYardsTDIntRating
2016Dak Prescott, Dall.68%3,667234104.9
2017Deshaun Watson, Hou.62%1,699198103.0
2012Robert Griffin III, Wash.66%3,200205102.4
2012Russell Wilson, Sea.64%3,1182610100.0
2018Baker Mayfield, Clev.64%3,725271493.7
2015Marcus Mariota, Tenn.62%2,818191091.5
2019Gardner Minshew, Jac.61%3,27121691.2
2019• Daniel Jones, NYG62%3,027241287.7
2019• Kyler Murray, Ariz.64%3,722201287.4
2014Teddy Bridgewater, Minn.64%2,919141285.2
2011Cam Newton, Car.60%4,051211784.5
2015Jameis Winston, T.B.58%4,042221584.2
2013Mike Glennon, T.B.59%2,60819983.9
2012Nick Foles, Phil.63%1,6996582.1
2011Andy Dalton, Cin.58%3,398201380.4
2016Carson Wentz, Phil.62%3,782161479.3
2013EJ Manuel, Buff.59%1,97211977.7
2018Sam Darnold, NYJ58%2,865171577.6
2017Mitchell Trubisky, Chi.59%2,1937777.5
2014Derek Carr, Oak.58%3,270211276.6
2012Andrew Luck, Ind.54%4,374231876.5
2010Sam Bradford, St.L.60%3,512181576.5
2019• Dwayne Haskins, Wash.59%1,3657776.1
2012Ryan Tannehill, Mia.58%3,294121376.1
2010Colt McCoy, Clev.61%1,5766974.5
2012Brandon Weeden, Clev.57%3,385141772.6
2011Christian Ponder, Minn.54%1,853131370.1
2014Blake Bortles, Jac.59%2,908111769.5
2017C.J. Beathard, S.F.55%1,4304669.2
2018Josh Allen, Buff.53%2,074101267.9
2018Josh Rosen, Ariz.55%2,278111466.7
2013Geno Smith, NYJ56%3,046122166.5
2011Blaine Gabbert, Jac.51%2,214121165.4
2016Jared Goff55%1,0895763.6
2017DeShone Kizer, Clev.54%2,894112260.5
2010Jimmy Clausen, Car.53%1,5583958.4

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index