Jacksonville Jaguars

Peyton Manning has jokes. Even for the top overall pick in the draft.  

The NFL legend jokingly told Jacksonville Jaguars rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence that he hopes he breaks his rookie record for interceptions, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter: 

At the Masters earlier this month, former No. 1 pick Peyton Manning told this year’s No. 1 pick, new Jaguars’ QB Trevor Lawrence, that Urban Meyer needs to play him every play of every game so that he can break his record - his record for most interceptions by a rookie (28).

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2021

Lawrence may not want to come close to that mark, but if he has anything even mildly resembling Manning's career he'll have done well for himself. The Hall of Famer was a two-time champion, five-time MVP, 14-time Pro Bowler and sits third in both passing yards (71,940) and passing touchdowns (539). 

But if Lawrence takes his lumps early on, well, that's OK too. Manning did, after all, and he's one of the greatest players in NFL history. Even if he has at least one record he's ready to see broken. 

It's official: Trevor Lawrence is the top overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. 

With that out of the way, we can get to the important questions. Namely, what type of fantasy football impact will his addition have for the Jacksonville Jaguars?

We'll start with Lawrence, who you honestly want to avoid outside of dynasty and keeper leagues. Yes, he's extremely talented, but he's also a rookie quarterback on a Jacksonville team that won just one game last year and gave up 44 sacks (tied 25th). 

Yes, rookie quarterbacks can hit in fantasy. Justin Herbert finished ninth in fantasy scoring last year at the position. 

But more often than not, they don't. Tua Tagovailoa was 32nd. Joe Burrow doesn't count because of his injury, though he was on pace to score 277.9 fantasy points in standard leagues last season, which would have put him 13th. Solid, yes, but firmly a QB2. 

What about 2019 rookies at the position?

Kyler Murray was eighth, Gardner Minshew II was 19th and Daniel Jones was 24th. In 2018, Baker Mayfield was 14th, Josh Allen 18th and Lamar Jackson was 24th. In 2017, DeShone Kizer, DeShaun Watson and Mitchell Trubisky were 19th-21st, while C.J. Beathard was 24th (Watson would have been higher had he not torn his ACL, for what it's worth).

Getting the picture?

Lawrence is going to play right away. He'll upgrade the position. He might be pretty darn good right away. But drafting him to be anything more than a QB2 is an enormous risk. He's purely a speculative play or long-term addition. 

The trio of DJ Chark Jr., Laviska Shenault Jr. and Marvin Jones Jr. are far more interesting. 

Chark went for 53 catches, 706 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games with Minshew, Mike Glennon and Jake Luton throwing him passes. Shenault posted 58 catches for 600 yards and five scores in 15 games. Both are getting a serious upgrade at quarterback, and each should be on your radar in the WR4 range as potential sleeper picks. 

Jones probably won't do better than the 76 receptions for 978 yards and nine touchdowns he posted last year in Detroit. A rookie like Lawrence isn't an upgrade on Matthew Stafford. Jones settled into the WR2 territory last year. It's better to consider him a flex option in 2021. 

Being a quarterback who is the No. 1 overall pick of the NFL draft means a few things. 

It means the hopes of an entire fanbase rest on your shoulders. It means anything less than multiple Pro Bowls and eventually a run at a Super Bowl will be considered a failure to live up to expectations.

And it also means you're going to get paid.

That is the reality for Trevor Lawrence, who was the first name off the board at Thursday's 2021 NFL draft when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him with the No. 1 pick. It is a new era in Jacksonville with head coach Urban Meyer, and the team now has its quarterback of the future.

Jacksonville gets its franchise QB 🚨

The Jaguars select Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 pick in the #NFLDraft @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/s2FqRkauTX

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 30, 2021

The first step will be signing his rookie contract, and Spotrac estimated the total value for the No. 1 pick will be $36.8 million with a $24.1 million signing bonus and a $6.9 million cap hit for the 2021 campaign.

If Lawrence lives up to expectations as a potential franchise savior, he will surely sign future contract extensions that dwarf his rookie deal. That means the pressure is on Meyer and the Jaguars to complete a quick rebuild after the team finished in last place in the AFC South in each of the last three years and 1-15 in 2020.

The Clemson product is the biggest key to that, and he showed little reason to doubt him during his collegiate career.

Lawrence won a national championship and reached two more College Football Playoffs in his three years as a starter. He was the 2020 Heisman Trophy runner-up and finished his career with 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns and 17 interceptions through the air to go with 943 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground.

Look for Meyer to utilize his new quarterback's dual-threat abilities based on the offenses the head coach ran in college.

If the coach and quarterback pairing works out as Jacksonville surely expects, the Jaguars will be back among the AFC contenders at some point during Lawrence's rookie contract.

To no one's surprise, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

Lawrence completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 8.9 yards per attempt, 90 touchdowns and just 17 interceptions. He threw for 10,098 yards in 35 games, going 33-2 and winning the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. Clemson went to the CFP during each of Lawrence's three years in school, making the national title game twice.

The 2020 Heisman Trophy runner-up also rushed for 943 yards and 18 touchdowns during his career.

Here's a look at how the Jaguars' offensive depth chart stacks up with the star playmaker in the mix.

       

Jaguars' Offensive Depth Chart

QB: Trevor Lawrence, Gardner Minshew II, C.J. Beathard

RB: James Robinson, Carlos Hyde, Dare Ogunbowale, Ryquell Armstead

WR1: DJ Chark Jr.

WR2: Marvin Jones Jr.

WR3: Laviska Shenault Jr., Phillip Dorsett, Collin Johnson

TE: Tyler Eifert, Chris Manhertz

LT: Cam Robinson, Will Richardson

LG: Andrew Norwell, K.C. McDermott

C: Brandon Linder, Tyler Shatley

RG: A.J. Cann, Ben Bartch

RT: Jawaan Taylor, Derwin Gray

    

Breakdown

Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks of NFL Network offered rave reviews of Lawrence's work. Per Jeremiah:

"Lawrence went out there today and showed me everything I needed to see. It was crisp, and he threw some beautiful deep balls. There might have been a throw or two in the red zone that got away from him, but overall, he did everything he had to do to maintain his status as the top prospect in this draft."

Brooks added:

"This is a rare player. He's tall and athletic with tremendous arm talent. He has a winning pedigree, leading Clemson to the College Football Playoff in all three of his seasons and capturing a national title as a true freshman. When I look at Trevor Lawrence, I think of him as Justin Herbert-plus. He's everything the 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has been but I think Lawrence is an even more dynamic playmaker."

Lawrence has earned top reviews everywhere, making him a near-consensus No. 1 pick on big boards. Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network offered his take, saying in part:

"The hype surrounding Trevor Lawrence is no doubt warranted. He's not perfect, as the hype may lead one to believe, but he's undoubtedly one of the best quarterback prospects of the millennium. Lawrence compounds impressive mental traits with tremendous athleticism at his size, as well as exceptional arm talent and off-script ability. This combination makes him a safe prospect with a proportionally high upside."

The B/R NFL Scouting Department gave him a grade of 9.6 out of 10, leading all 2021 NFL draft prospects. Any score falling between 9.5-9.9 lands on the "Hall of Fame talent" portion of the B/R grading scale.

Lawrence underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder in February but should be good to go for training camp, per ESPN's Dan Graziano. He held a virtual pro day in February before the surgery and measured at 6'5⅝" and 213 pounds with 10" hands.

The Jaguars, who went 1-15 last year, needed a franchise quarterback to reboot an organization that had been on a downward spiral ever since reaching the 2017 AFC Championship Game.

They get that chance in drafting Lawrence, who will now look to reinvigorate the Jags under first-year head coach (and three-time CFB champion) Urban Meyer.

Lawrence has the capability to be one of the NFL's top quarterbacks over the next couple decades. He's been fantastic against top competition for three years and has the physical attributes that can lead to long-term NFL success. The Jaguars are lucky to have him, and they may start seeing positive results instantly.

HEIGHT: 6'5⅝"

WEIGHT: 213

     

POSITIVES

— Tall, long quarterback with ideal height that plays strong despite weight.

— Multiyear starter for a winning program, including a national championship win as a true freshman at Clemson and CFP appearances all three years as a starter.

— Top-tier arm strength and accuracy allow him to deliver throws at all three levels. Able to put field outs and benders on the money with no noticeable dip in arc. Scheme-proof as a QB. Able to throw a straight fastball or with touch. Will save his receivers some hits with ball placement.

— Quick release that's even more impressive given his length.

— Very good, smooth athlete. Enough explosiveness to make a defender miss in or out of the pocket. Is a strider but has good acceleration. All QB run concepts are available with him. 

— Consistent mechanics and athleticism allow him to throw in pocket, off platform and on the move. Every throw is in his wheelhouse.

— Tight footwork. Rarely late on throws, and throws consistently with timing and anticipation. Consistently able to reset and stay balanced when progressing.

— Eyes work quickly. Shows awareness and football IQ to understand situations and intent of concepts.

— Tough and willing to take a hit to deliver a throw. Keeps eyes downfield and only looks to run when he has to create.

— Leadership, work ethic and maturity to be the face of a franchise. Even does the little things such as carrying out fakes after handing the ball off.

    

NEGATIVES

— Played in a simplistic offense that doesn't require much protection knowledge.

— Can try to "wish" some throws open and force things in. May be scheme-influenced.

— Skinny frame.

    

2020 STATISTICS

10 G, 231-of-334 (69.2%), 3,153 YDS, 9.4 Y/A, 24 TD, 5 INT, 169.2 RAT

68 ATT, 203 YDS, 8 TD

      

NOTES

— 2020 All-American

— 2020 ACC Offensive POY

— 2019 First-Team All-ACC

— 2018 National Title Game MVP

— 2018 Freshman All-American

           

OVERALL

Trevor Lawrence has all the tools and makeup to live up to the expectations of a generational franchise quarterback. Lawrence is the complete package of size, arm talent, athleticism and intangibles. Although he played in a very simple offense in college, his ability to deliver top-tier throws at all three levels with a variety of touch and consistent placement is something that translates to any offense.

Lawrence is a long-limbed player, but he is a natural athlete with twitch that plays mentally quick and consistently displays polish in his throwing mechanics and his footwork in and out of the pocket—no throw is off the table for him. Lawrence displayed a growing knowledge of protection schemes and you can see him communicating with his offensive linemen and running backs about their pre-snap assignments, but this will remain  something that he will need to continue to refine. 

Overall, Lawrence is living up to the hype he received as the top high school quarterback in the country and looks like a Week 1 franchise quarterback with the upside to win multiple MVPs and only injuries or an incompetent franchise will put him on a path toward failure.

    

GRADE: 9.6 (Round 1 - No. 1 pick)

OVERALL RANK: 1/300

POSITION RANK: QB1

PRO COMPARISON: Supercharged Matt Ryan

Latest Mock Draft Landing Spot: Jacksonville Jaguars - No. 1 Pick

      

Written by B/R NFL Scout Nate Tice 

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer recently bought a home in Jacksonville, Florida, and he's very familiar with one of his neighbors.

The Jacksonville Daily Record's Katie Garwood reported Wednesday a $2.15 million home in South Jacksonville's Glen Kernan Golf and Country Club was purchased in the name of the Shelley Jean Meyer Revocable Trust on April 16. The name on the trust is Meyer's wife. Among the nearby residents is former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

Meyer coached Tebow for four seasons with the Gators. Together, they collected two national championships, and Tebow was the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner.

Their Jacksonville reunion may extend to Meyer's new gig with the Jaguars.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tebow requested to try out with the team at tight end this offseason. According to Schefter, he worked out with Jaguars tight ends coach Tyler Bowen, but the team hasn't made any decisions.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported "there has been at least some discussion of him signing."    

Nine years after last appearing in an NFL game, Tim Tebow may be eyeing a return to the NFL.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Tebow recently worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars as a tight end, and there has been "at least some discussion" about the Jags signing him.

Tebow is best known for playing quarterback at the University of Florida and for the Denver Broncos. New Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer was his coach in college as well.

ESPN's Adam Schefter added that Tebow was the one who reached out to the Jaguars and expressed interest in making the transition to tight end, which is something he resisted early in his career.

The 33-year-old Tebow won two national championships and the 2007 Heisman Trophy under Meyer at Florida before the Broncos selected him in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft.

While Tebow was far from conventional, he went 7-4 as a starter during his second NFL season and led the Broncos to the playoffs. He completed a mere 46.5 percent of his passes for 1,729 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions that year, but he did plenty of damage with his legs, rushing for 660 yards and six scores.

Although Tebow led the Broncos to a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, they traded him to the New York Jets the following offseason after signing Peyton Manning.

Tebow attempted only eight passes during his one season in New York and was used on a occasion as a fullback, tight end and personal punt protector.

The Jets cut Tebow after one season, and he subsequently failed to make the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles 53-man rosters in 2013 and 2015, respectively.

Tebow then became a college football analyst before transitioning to baseball and signing a minor league contract with the New York Mets in 2016.

While Tebow had some success, including an Eastern League All-Star nod in 2018, he never made it past Triple-A and hit only .223 with 18 home runs, 107 RBI and 107 runs scored in 287 minor league games over four seasons.

Tebow announced his retirement from baseball in February, but his time as a professional athlete may not be over if he did enough to impress the Jaguars coaching staff.

Taysom Hill has carved out a successful career for himself with the New Orleans Saints as a jack of all trades playing quarterback, tight end and even some running back and wide receiver. If Tebow can develop into a similar type of player, he may still have some value in the NFL.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to add "immediate impact players" with the Nos. 25, 33, 45 and 65 selections in the 2021 NFL draft, James Palmer of NFL Network said Tuesday in a segment with Patrick Claybon.

After the #1 overall pick, the #jaguars have 9 more picks including 25,33,45,65. What is Jacksonville’s plan? Are they looking to move up with their ammo? My report on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/JKqcc99rNt

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 27, 2021

Palmer added that it appears the Jags aren't looking to trade up and that a deal back "a couple of spots" is more likely.

Jacksonville is all but certain to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first pick Thursday.

The intrigue in Duval County will start late in the first round with pick No. 25, when the Jags can take a variety of routes. They own 10 selections in all.

The Jags are coming off a 1-15 season, and a new regime is in charge, led by general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Urban Meyer.

Jacksonville has plenty of draft capital to work with to improve a team that finished 30th in scoring offense and 31st in scoring defense. Naturally, a season like that brings about a lot of needs.

Of note, the Draft Network listed quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver and safety as the team's primary needs. Pro Football Focus also listed safety and offensive tackle in addition to tight end.

If the NFL Mock Draft Database big board is any indication, options at the back end of the first round and the beginning of the second could include offensive tackles Samuel Cosmi (Texas), Alex Leatherwood (Alabama) and Liam Eichenberg (Notre Dame). At safety, TCU's Trevon Moehrig-Woodard might be a fit.

The wide receiver class is loaded, and the Jags could be in position to select Florida's Kadarius Toney, LSU's Terrace Marshall Jr., Ole Miss' Elijah Moore or Purdue's Rondale Moore.

Any of those players could start in Week 1. We'll soon find out which direction Jacksonville goes.

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan knows drafting Trevor Lawrence will define the franchise for the next decade.

After getting to know the Clemson quarterback, Khan is more than comfortable making the selection. 

"I was really blown away," Khan told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated regarding his meeting with Lawrence. "I spoke to Trevor on Zoom in a very pleasant way, his sense of humility, his absolute drive. He wants to make a difference, in the community and, obviously, most importantly, on the gridiron."

Lawrence has been locked in as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft since his freshman season at Clemson. The most hyped quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck, Lawrence has the makings of the type of player who could turn around one of the NFL's most woebegone franchises.

Jacksonville has made the playoffs just seven times since its inception in 1995 and has one winning season since 2007. The franchise has shuffled through a never-ending string of disappointments under center, with each flash of promise flaming out quicker than the last.

If Lawrence fails at the next level, it will almost certainly fall at the feet of the organization and perhaps coach Urban Meyer, who will be making the leap to the NFL after a successful collegiate career. Trusting the future of the franchise to Meyer was another calculated risk from Khan, especially considering the lack of success Meyer-coached quarterbacks have had at the pro level.

However, Lawrence has every can't-miss quality necessary in a modern quarterback. He has the arm strength to make every throw on the field, poise in the pocket to sense pressure and more than enough outside speed to beat defensive ends on the edges.

Thursday's NFL draft should be a moment that turns around the Jaguars franchise for the foreseeable future. 

Despite receiving calls from opposing teams inquiring about the availability of the top choice in the 2021 NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars intend to hang on to the No. 1 overall pick. 

Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke told NFL Network's James Palmer on Wednesday that the team "fielded a couple of calls" about the pick, "but I think we're going to hold tight."

Head coach Urban Meyer told Palmer that Jaguars owner Shad Khan will ultimately decide if they announce their pick before the draft. 

"We're going to have a great meeting tomorrow, and I [imagine] we'll get closer to a decision," Meyer said. 

It's neither a surprise that teams tried calling about the No. 1 pick nor that the Jaguars have decided to keep the selection. 

There's no indication which teams called Baalke about the draft pick. 

If the Jaguars were even going to entertain trading out of the top spot, it stands to reason they would have asked for a king's ransom. Trevor Lawrence is universally regarded as the best player in this year's class and the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck in 2012. 

Jacksonville secured the No. 1 pick by losing its final 15 games of the 2020 season after a Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Meyer came out of retirement to become the Jaguars head coach. This marks his first time in the NFL after 32 years as a college coach. 

With the Jaguars poised to stay in their current position, they will officially announce the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft on April 29.