Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence just outside top 10 in recent rookie ranking

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been the talk of the town in recent days for the wrong reasons. Last weekend, a video of head coach Urban Meyer getting cozy with a woman went viral and the fact that the Jags are 0-4 isn’t helping matters. However, not everything is gloom and doom in Duval. There are several reasons for optimisms, including the play of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was recently ranked as the second-best quarterback in this year’s rookie class.

Analyst Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media recently ranked the 2021 NFL draft class and Lawrence landed just outside the top ten. Jeremiah says that the former Clemson Tiger continues to get better every week, and “his skill set is allowing the Jaguars to expand the playbook”.

Surprisingly, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones popped up at number six. Jeremiah thinks the Pats are the perfect fit for the Alabama product. In four games this season, he’s logged a 70.0 percent completion rate and has thrown 1,012 passing yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Although he has one less touchdown, he has more passing yards, a better completion rate and three fewer interceptions, so the decision to rank him higher makes sense.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons claimed the top spot in the ranking. Other rookies that landed on top ten of the list were offensive tackle Rashawn Slater (2), wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (3), cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (4), center Creed Humphrey (5), wide receiver DaVonta Smith (7), cornerback Patrick Surtain (8), linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (9), and running back Javante Williams (10).

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence will keep moving up the rookie rankings.

The first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has steadily improved since the season opener. He had arguably his best game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, completing 17 of 24 passes for 204 yards with one rushing touchdown and no interceptions. He looked comfortable in the pocket and often made several highlight throws, such as his 52-yard pass to wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. Moreover, he didn’t turn the ball over for the first time of the season.

Jaguars offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has often praised Lawrence for his growth as a passer in the last four games. Bevell recently told the local media that the rookie quarterback has undergone an evolution in recent weeks. He added that every rep he gets is invaluable, and he’s making the most of each one of them.

While Jones may have the better stat line at this moment, Lawrence is arguably the better of the two and should have the better rookie season of the two. Keep in mind that the Patriots are a better team overall than the Jags, and Jones has a better supporting cast.

In Week 5, the Jaguars will face a vulnerable Tennessee Titans team that ranks 26th in points scored. This will be the perfect opportunity for Jacksonville to earn their first win of the year. For that to happen, Lawrence must take another step forward in his development.