JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Munchie from London, UK
Hi Zone, I always thought the most likely time a Ngakoue trade could get done was after the draft, once people had a feel for their "final" rosters. It seems to me that draft currency becomes increasingly valuable in the run up to the draft, then dissipates somewhat when you are trading away currency which is a year away from coming to fruition. Do you feel like a trade may get done before the season, or do you think the market is so nonexistent that he will have to play for the Jags, or watch $17 million evaporate?
The most likely time for the Jaguars to trade defensive end Yannick Ngakoue was before the 2020 NFL Draft because many teams that needed pass rushers drafted them. I don't think a trade will get done before the season; while the market for Ngakoue isn't nonexistent, it's certainly small considering his reported contract demands and what the Jaguars will want in exchange for him. I don't know that he will "have to play for the Jaguars" this season, because I can't pretend to predict what Ngakoue will do. I do sense that if he plays in the NFL in 2020, he will play for the Jaguars.
David from Maplewood, NJ
Realistically when would teams need to start being able to have real practices in order to start the season as scheduled?
Late July. Maybe early August.
Mike from Cortland, UK
Hey O, how unprecedented would the following move be? Is it even possible and what would be pros and cons to both? Rescind the franchise tag allowing Ngakoue to become an unrestricted free agent, and sign Jadeveon Clowney to his reported asking price of around $17 million per year. That's less than Ngakoue's tag, and less than what his reported asking price is, for a bigger-bodied player with probably equal pass rushing prowess and an improvement against the run. Also feels like he would be a better fit if we're going to try to run more 3-4 schemes.
It would theoretically be possible, but Clowney reportedly wants to play only for a "contender." Whatever the Jaguars' real aspirations for next season, the perception that they're not a contender probably would minimize Clowney's interest.
Zah from Orange Park, FL
While I don't expect the Jaguars' first-round pick in 2021 to be the first pick, the Los Angeles Rams' first-round pick in 2021 (which now belongs to the Jags) could very well be the first pick.
That would surprise me, though it's certainly possible it will be a good selection.
Sascha from Cologne, Germany
Do you think the Jags wanted too much for Yan? As far as I've heard, the Jags wanted the No. 12 from Las Vegas, but the Raiders wanted to give No. 19. If Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock really had offered that, I think they should have made the trade.
Based on what I've heard what you've heard isn't correct, and evidence suggests the Jaguars aren't necessarily the party wanting too much here.
Julio from Southern California
O, Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette appears to be on board. He sees big picture and realizes he is also auditioning for other teams. Do you believe Yannick will make up with the team and get on board too?
I don't pretend to be able to predict what Ngakoue will do. Anyone who says they can probably is incorrect.
Howard from Homestead, FL
A lot of people are complaining about the Jags' first- and second-round picks that are no longer on the roster. I decided to look up how many of the New England Patriots' first- and second-rounders from 2013-2017 are still on their roster. Zero. Their 2018 second-rounder is already gone as well.
Yeah, it's not uncommon for first- and second-round selections from seven and eight years before to not be on an NFL roster. It is common for observers to forget how common turnover is in the NFL.
Big on Blake from Philly
Zone, before the draft, I assumed the Jags were being quiet on the Marcell Dareus front to avoid tipping their hand for the draft. Now that free agent and the draft are in the past, the Jags seem pretty secure along the defensive line. Seeing as Dareus is still available, and has stated his pleasure about playing for Marrone in the past, will the Jags re-sign him, especially if his value may be a little lower now?
The Jaguars signed defensive tackles Al Woods and Rodney Gunter as unrestricted free agents and they selected DaVon Hamilton at the same position. Considering that, I would be surprised if Dareus is re-signed.
Sam from Nottingham, UK
I love Gardner Minshew; I really do! But why wouldn't we consider going after Cam Newton in free agency, especially given the room we've cleared on the cap for 2020 and 2021? Surely bringing in a proven competitor like Newton would bring the best out of the rookies, give us the best chance to win, improve Minshew and show the rest of the league we're a viable option in free agency next year when we've got heaps of wiggle room on the salary cap? Seems a win, win, win, win situation to me!?
Money (cap space) is one reason to not consider Newton. That's a big one.
Mike from Atlanta, GA
What do the Jaguars have with former Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr? Is he a slash type player? Do they see him as a potential starter opposite DJ Chark Jr? Shenault seems like he isn't exactly an outside receiver or necessarily a prototypical slot receiver, either. Is he going to line up all over the field, sometimes on the outside, sometimes in the slot, maybe in the backfield out of shotgun occasionally? How do they plan on using him?
Considering the Jaguars believed Shenault as good as any receiver in the draft, they believe they have a starter opposite Chark – and eventually a go-to receiver. This was a deep draft for receivers, and the Jaguars believed Shenault worthy of a first-round selection. He should be special. That doesn't mean he will start immediately, but he absolutely is expected to be a starting receiver relatively soon.
Daniel from Jersey City, NJ
O-man, we've got a lot of new young talent. How many do you think we will still be talking about next year?
Most of them. I expect all these players to be on the roster or the practice squad this season, and I expect two thirds to be starters or key contributors in the next two or three years.
Steve from Hamilton
"I believe he genuinely cares about being good and cares about his teammates/coaches enough to behave the same way this season." Hmmm. Don't mean to be snide, but when have I heard this before?
I said this about Ngakoue recently because I believe it. As for your question: "Where have you heard before that a Jaguars player genuinely cares enough about teammates to behave professionally?" I don't know. I do know it's true of a lot of players, and I believe it's true from Ngakoue. We saw evidence last season.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
ESPN's Dan Graziano, who has no idea about the real goings on inside the front office, said "It seems as though Fournette has fallen out of favor with the team." Have you seen anything to back that up? There's a difference between making a business decision and "falling out of favor." Do you agree?
In fairness to Graziano, there were significant reports before and during the draft that the Jaguars were open to trading Fournette. When a team is willing to trade a starting running back still very much in his prime, it's fair to interpret that the player is at least a bit out of favor on some level. But it doesn't mean the team dislikes the player or that the player can't be productive.
Steve at the Beach from Jax Beach
Mr. O, as it stands right now, will the Jags be entitled any compensatory picks in next year's draft?
Probably not. They really didn't lose any unrestricted free agents that other teams signed, and they signed former Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert. You must lose more than you gain in unrestricted free agency to qualify for compensatory selections.
Justin from New York City
How many picks do the Jags have so far in next year's draft?
Nine. They have all their own selections and they also have the first- and fourth-round selections they received in the trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Trev from Saints Johns The Devine
Has CJ Henderson, or anyone from the team addressed his lack of tackling since he was drafted?
If Henderson has been tackling people since he was drafted, someone better tell him to stop. You know … social distancing and all.
Marc from Oceanway
Who stole our Jerell? An imposter has infiltrated the Zone.
This is serious and getting seriouser.
