Jaguars fans have known for months that Trevor Lawrence would be coming to Jacksonville, but now it’s official. One of the most hyped prospects in the history of the NFL draft now has a pro team after the Jags selected the Clemson product with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Even if it feels like Jacksonville has never been relevant outside of that playoff run in 2017, there was a time when this was seen as one of the better teams in the league. The team made two AFC title games back in the late 1990s, but, even then, the Jaguars never really had a true franchise quarterback. Mark Brunell was a fine passer back then, but he was drafted by another team and his run as a good starter was relegated to a few years. With Lawrence, though, Jags fans now have a quarterback they can watch for a decade-plus.
You’ve probably heard a lot about Lawrence. He’s been on the radar of NFL evaluators and amateur draft scouts for three years now, and he’s carried that “generational talent” label with him the entire time. But we’ve kind of taken his talent for granted these past two years. He’s just so good that in-depth analysis of his game wasn’t really needed. Well, now he has a home and a new fan base that might not be familiar with his game.
So this is for you, Jaguars fans. Here are five reasons Trevor Lawrence is worth the hype…
1
Lawrence can turn any situation into a good play
NFL quarterbacks only have seconds to make a decision before getting pummeled by a pass rush, so quick decision making and problem solving are pivotal. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a college quarterback solve problems as quickly as Trevor does.
And he can do it in multiple ways. He can do it with his legs…
He can do it with a little craftiness…
He can do it off his backfoot…
He can do it with his pocket movement…
Or he can just speed up his process and do it with anticipation…
2
His arm makes anything possible
When Lawrence misses a throw, it’s never because of a lack of arm talent. The Jaguars offensive coaching staff will have no limits on the pass concepts they can call because this dude can get the ball anywhere on the football field.
Whether it’s a deep out from the far hash…
A deep ball with a defender in his lap…
A throw on the move to his left…
A throw into a tight window in the red zone…
Or a fadeaway in crumbling pocket…
3
He’s a natural in the pocket
You don’t have to be tall to make it as an NFL quarterback, but it sure does help sometimes. Lawrence is 6-foot-6 and his height helps him stay cool in the pocket. He can see over the line and keep his eyes downfield while working the pocket to find space to get a throw off.
That poise is a trait every great NFL quarterback possesses and Lawrence is no different. It looks so easy at times when Lawrence just subtly moves towards open space…
Even when there isn’t much space, Lawrence has no problem throwing over or around pass rushers…
He’s willing to stand in and take a big hit, too…
4
He is not easily fooled by the defense
Oen area where Lawrence took a big step in his final year in Clemson was before the snap. Now he’s not quite Peyton Manning at the line of scrimmage just yet, but he knows how to fix problems before its too late.
Here you can see him slide his protection to the left to pick up a pressure before throwing a deep touchdown pass…
On this play, you can see him fake a cadence to get Notre Dame’s linebackers to tip their hands. They showed blitz and Lawrence knew exactly where to go with the ball…
Some of Lawrence’s critics — yes, they exist — have pointed out that he played in a simple offense at Clemson, but the 22-year-old obviously understands the game.
5
As if all that weren't enough ... he can run, too
There is no reason a person who stands 6-foot-6 should be able to move this fast…
You have a good one on your hands Jacksonville. Sundays will never be the same.
