Patrick Mahomes leads 2020 AFC quarterback power rankings

14. Gardner Minshew

Gardner Minshew performed much better for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season than I expected him to. While he didn’t set the league on fire, the fact that a rookie sixth-round draft pick could come in, take over the starting position, and look like a potential long-term starter is a huge accomplishment. Usually a guy in that position (especially on a losing team) would be overwhelmed and try to do too much. Minchew’s 21 to 6 touchdown-to-interception ratio is evidence of what most observed—that the spotlight wasn’t too big for him.

Is it possible that defenses start to get a game plan on how to stop Minchew and we see him go backwards instead of forward this season? Sure, but it’s also possible that Minchew takes another step forward and proves to the organization that he is their guy going forward long term. Despite not being in the greatest situation in terms of team/weapons. he still arguably outperformed Sam Darnold last year. He’s a wild card who could find himself higher on this list next year or no longer starting in the NFL at all.