Free-agent quarterback Blake Bortles is a fantasy afterthought today -- and rightfully so -- but people forget what he achieved not so long ago in 2015. Bortles was, at the time, in his second NFL season and, while he failed to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the playoffs, fantasy managers loved him. Bortles finished the season as the No. 4 fantasy quarterback, throwing for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns. Sure, more than a few of those numbers came in the fourth quarters of losses but hey, they count, too. He still did it and carried WR Allen Robinson II and Allen Hurns to much-appreciated standout seasons as well.
The 2020 Jaguars certainly do not appear to be headed for postseason success, and perhaps this is why fantasy managers seem a bit indifferent to their players. That said, there are several parallels to the 2015 team. People might know and enjoy Gardner Minshew II for his glorious mustache, but the team's 2019 sixth-round pick performed well as a rookie with 21 touchdown passes versus six interceptions, plus a very relevant 344 rushing yards. Heck, he even won half his starts. With the onerous contract of Nick Foles now the concern of the eager Chicago Bears, Minshew is the unquestioned Jags starter. This is a good thing.