Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence lands in familiar spot in recent ranking

Trevor Lawrence is expected to make a huge leap in Year 2. However, it’s currently uncertain how much better he will be until he takes the football field. Everything you hear right or see right now are projections based on the changes the Jacksonville Jaguars have made to the roster and the coaching staff. That’s why he didn’t get a ‘particularly high spot in a recent quarterback ranking.

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently ranked every NFL team’s quarterback room and the Jags landed at a No. 23, one spot above the Pittsburgh Steelers and one below the San Francisco 49ers. Davenport points out that Lawrence was the top collegiate prospect ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. He dug up his scouting report, in which the former Clemson Tiger is described as a legitimate generational talent. The report also states that only injuries or an incompetent franchise could hold him back, which is precisely what happened to him in his rookie campaign.

"The last part wound up being a problem. Mired in the nightmare that was Urban Meyer’s tenure as head coach for the Jaguars, the 6’6″, 220-pound quarterback face-planted, with a completion percentage under 60, just 12 touchdown passes, and a league-leading 17 picks."

Davenport believes Lawrence should improve considerably under Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson but says that he won’t rank any higher on the list until he shows what he can do on the field. Although it was an assessment of Jacksonville’s quarterback situation, Davenport mostly focused on Lawrence. But the Jags have a solid backup in C.J. Beathard, who can step in if called upon. Last season, he attempted just two passes in relief of Lawrence but completed both. There’s also Jake Luton, who started three games as a rookie back in 2020 but hasn’t played ever since.

The Jaguars have confidence in Trevor Lawrence ahead of Year 2

All things considered, Lawrence got a fair, if not familiar, spot in Davenport’s ranking. He landed in a similar spot on Pro Football Focus’ quarterback list and he was No. 24 in Chris Simms’ ranking. You will have a hard time finding him getting a spot above No. 20.

On the other hand, it’s easy to get hyped up about Lawrence. Most observers agree that the Urban Meyer debacle ended up having a negative effect on his development. Similarly, Doug Pederson was arguably the best teacher the Jags could have gotten him. Moreover, general manager Trent Baalke has spent the offseason upgrading the offense and the defense. Basically, the Jags are building around their young quarterback and putting him in a position to succeed, which is what competent franchises do.

Of course, everything the Jaguars are doing won’t account for much if Lawrence doesn’t improve this upcoming season. On the bright side, it doesn’t seem like he will be stuck on neutral o regress. In fact, signs point to him making significant strides in his sophomore campaign. Throughout his rookie campaign, he routinely showed flashes and should be able to find more consistency with Meyer no longer at the helm.

Trevor Lawrence is seemingly headed in the right direction and it’s not hard to envision him getting more attention from the national media in 2022 if he improves considerably and helps the Jaguars win a few more games.