WHICH JAGUARS SHOULD YOU TARGET IN FANTASY DRAFTS THIS SUMMER?

DJ Chark (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

How many Jaguars will be fantasy relevant in 2020?

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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The Jaguars haven't always been a fantasy-relevant team. For a good chunk of the last decade, they lacked offensive talent. But in 2020, with new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden calling the shots, Jacksonville could have several players that represent strong value in redraft fantasy football leagues. 

QB

Gardner Minshew is an exceptional value right now. He's currently the QB22 in ESPN's projections, which means you can get him in the final rounds of your draft. While I believe Minshew will be good enough to count on in most weeks, you could take him as a backup plan at QB if you get someone more highly rated early on. Either way, Minshew averaged 17 points per game (games that he played at least three quarters) as a rookie. He was dealing with a less talented offense than he'll have in 2019, and a playbook designed around the strengths of Nick Foles. Minshew is in a much better position to succeed this year. If you're like me and want to snatch up all the WRs and RBs early on, Minshew is a worthy late-round selection. 

WR

The only sure thing for the Jaguars at WR this year is DJ Chark. Despite dealing with a foot/ankle ailment for the last quarter of the season in 2019, Chark broke out with 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight TDs in 15 games. Two of his disappointing performances came when Nick Foles was reinserted into the lineup mid-season. He'll have a full offseason to work with Minshew and develop into a more complete WR. Jay Gruden plans on moving Chark around the formation more often, which could lead to advantageous matchups for the young WR. Chark is currently being drafted as a mid-to-low end WR2, or even as a WR3 in some cases. For a guy who dealt with injuries and still finished as the WR17 in 2019, he's dropping a little bit too far. I wouldn't be afraid to snatch him up, starting in the late second or early third round. 

After that, things are murky for the Jaguars' receivers. Chris Conley and Dede Westbrook will both have a role, but not one big enough to sustain fantasy value. You could take a late-round flier on one of them, but neither will return value unless there are injuries ahead of them on the Jaguars' WR depth chart.

The lone intriguing receiver, outside of DJ Chark, is Laviska Shenault. The 2020 second-round pick has a diverse skill-set and could take snaps outside, in the slot, at wildcat QB, and as an H-back. The Jaguars will get him the ball in creative ways, but will it be enough to sustain fantasy production? He's a late-round type guy that could way outproduce his draft position in fantasy. I'd be willing to stash him and see what the Jaguars do with their offense early on.

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RB

The only name to know here is Leonard Fournette. He's currently the RB14, and could likely be had in the third round. While there is some risk here — the Jaguars have been open about their desire to trade Fournette — he's still going to be a workhorse as long as he's in Jacksonville. Coming off a season in which he finished at the RB7, Fournette still has plenty of tread on the tires and should push to finish as an RB1 if he stays healthy. The addition of Chris Thompson could eat into his opportunity as a pass catcher, but Fournette still appears primed for a major role. Because of the injury history, and the possibility of a trade, Fournette has some risk, but he also has the potential to finish as a top-ten running back once again. If you can get him in the third round, you should pounce.

TE

The Jaguars will feature a three-headed monster at tight end in Tyler Eifert, James O'Shaughnessy, and Josh Oliver. While I fully expect there to be plenty of production from the tight end position, it's not clear where it will come from week-to-week. Eifert will be the number one, but his injury history is terrifying. If he goes down, who knows which guy will be featured more — it could change from game to game. I'd steer clear of the Jaguars' tight ends. 

D/ST

The Jaguars have an exciting nucleus of talent on defense. But there are a bunch of new veterans signed in free agency and plenty of young players that will have prominent roles. The Jaguars' D/ST isn't being drafted. They could be a squad to keep an eye on over the first week or two of the season and have the potential to be a streaming candidate. But as of now, the Jags' D/ST is a no-go in redraft leagues. 

K

Josh Lambo is a fine choice as a kicker late in the draft. He's been automatic since joining the Jaguars. Jacksonville should be able to move the ball more consistently in 2020, which could help Lambo, who finished as the fifth-highest scoring kicker in 2019. You shouldn't have much to worry about if you land Lambo in the last couple of rounds. 

Follow Jordan on Twitter for all the latest Jaguars news and analysis. ​