Jacksonville Jaguars draft Trevor Lawrence and OT in TDN’s latest mock
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in prime position to draft Trevor Lawrence.
The Jacksonville Jaguars currently hold the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. They lack a franchise quarterback, so it’s believed they will select one. They also need to give the left tackle position a boost and Jordan Reid of The Draft Network projects the ‘Jags’ will address both needs in his most recent mock draft.
Trevor Lawrence is the best quarterback in next year’s draft and Reid believes the ‘Jags’ will use the first-round pick on him. He points out he’s the prospect in at least four years, and there are currently no reasons to pass up the chance to take him.
Keep in mind the this Jacksonville team has another first-round selection, the second one they received from the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Reid foresees them taking USC offensive tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker with that pick.
This draft strategy makes sense for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars received a pleasant surprise when the ‘Gang Green’ beat the Rams in Week 15. Before that matchup, the Jets hadn’t had any victories in 2020 and were projected to hold the first overall pick in 2021’s draft. New York and Jacksonville now have identical 1-13 records but due to the strength of the schedule, the first overall selection now belongs to the ‘Jags’ and the second pick to the Jets.
Even if the Jaguars had the second overall pick, they would likely draft a quarterback. It’s just that now, they have a shot at drafting Lawrence, the best overall prospect in next year’s draft, instead of Justin Fields of Ohio State or Zach Wilson of BYU.
On the other hand, Cam Robinson is set to become a free agent in the offseason, and by drafting Vera-Tucker, they would upgrade their left tackle position without having to spend much money. Robinson may want to cash in free agency, but with Vera-Tucker on the roster, the Jaguars won’t have to take out their wallet.
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This is arguably going to be one of the most important drafts in the team’s history. Making the right picks will help the Jaguars become a perennial playoff contender while making the wrong choices could set the franchise back for years. Lawrence and Vera-Tucker would be solid picks that would help the franchise turn things around.