Jaguars draft: QB Trevor Lawrence has ‘potential to overachieve’ in 2021

Although the 2021 NFL Draft is still a few weeks away, you will have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t think the Jacksonville Jaguars will take quarterback Trevor Lawrence first overall. Although the Clemson standout is one of the best quarterback prospects in recent years, how high should expectations for him be in his rookie campaign?

Stephen A. Smith and Maxx Kellerman of ESPN recently discussed what kind of expectations should be set for Lawrence in 2021 and both had interesting things to say about the subject. It’s noteworthy to mention that both Smith and Kellerman talk about the quarterback as if he’s already a member of the Jaguars.

Smith points out that the Jags are coming off a 1-15 season, so he thinks that there’s no way to go but up and adds that ‘the potential is there’ for Lawrence to overachieve because of the weapons this Jacksonville team has on offense and the fact Urban Meyer will be the head coach. Later, he says that the high expectations surrounding him are legitimate because of who his head coach will be and the current state of the AFC South.

On the other hand, Kellerman believes the expectations for Lawrence in Year 1 shouldn’t be as high as they should for Meyer. He likes the Jaguars’ offseason moves and wonders if the former Florida and Ohio State head coach can succeed in the pros. Regarding Lawrence, Kellerman believes ‘he should look like a starting quarterback’ by the end of the year and says he doesn’t have to turn Jacksonville into a playoff team in his first season.

Are Smith and Kellerman right about the Jacksonville Jaguars and Lawrence?

Both Smith and Kellerman rightfully mention that the Jaguars weren’t very good last year and it takes more than a franchise quarterback to turn things around. Kellerman points out that former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck had success right out of the gate because the Indianapolis Colts were already a good team when they drafted him.

Moreover, Smith says that not losing 15 consecutive games will count as progress. While it may sound harsh at first, it isn’t so when you take into account that that’s precisely what the Jaguars did last season.

Saying Lawrence has to look like a good starting quarterback by the end of the 2021 season regardless of how many games the Jaguars win is a reasonable goal when you consider he has the tools and the talent to thrive in the pros. While it would be great to see this Jacksonville team in the thick of the playoff year in Year 1, watching them competitive football week in and week out will be a good start. Based on Lawerence’s potential and the team’s offseason moves, there’s a high chance that will happen.