Jaguars 2021 NFL mock draft surrounding Trevor Lawrence.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the new leaders in the 2021 NFL Draft/Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. Sound the alarm, Jaguars fans.
The Jaguars, losers of 13 straight games (and counting) pulled ahead of the New York Jets, who won their first game of the 2020 season against the Los Angeles Rams. The Jets’ victory was a temporary morale boost to the locker room, but hardly inconsequential.
It’s all but certain that loss will cost them the opportunity to build their franchise around Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, while the Jacksonville Jaguars — the preseason odds-on favorites to land the top pick — have the best chance of seeing the top QB prospect come to their city.
Here is a Jaguars 2021 mock draft starting with the superstar Clemson QB.
This is the no-brainer of all no-brainers.
The Jaguars would begin their new rebuild with a brand-new general manager (Louis Riddick, perhaps?) and quite likely a new head coach (Doug Marrone currently has the job) to go along with the best quarterback prospect certainly since Andrew Luck, and probably since Peyton Manning.
Trevor Lawrence is a star. He’s not without flaws (nobody is) but his flaws are few and his game is well-rounded.
Lawrence is a tremendous leader at the quarterback position, he sees the field exceptionally well, he is an accurate passer with the ability to throw with velocity or touch, and he can run.
Inserting Lawrence into the Jaguars’ lineup may not instantly make this team a contender, but it will instantly make them a much better football team all-around.
If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to want a glass of milk.
If you draft a quarterback, he’s going to need protection.
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to make sure they invest properly into the offensive line and with left tackle Cam Robinson slated for free agency and a variety of injuries and COVID-related hurdles on the offensive line this season, the Jaguars cannot afford to be taking any chances when it comes to Trevor Lawrence’s health.
Look at what happened with Joe Burrow in his rookie season with the Bengals.
There is certainly risk involved with drafting a tackle to protect his fellow rookie at quarterback, but Alijah Vera-Tucker has been excellent at left tackle for the Trojans and did a tremendous job before that at left guard.
Depending on who you ask, you might get different answers about Vera-Tucker’s ability to translate best to guard or tackle at the pros, but he has been good in both spots and could play both spots or either spot at the next level.
Pressure comes from all angles in the NFL anymore, so the Jaguars wouldn’t be wasting a prime asset here regardless.
Rookie free agent sensation James Robinson has been a true bell-cow back for the Jaguars.
Seriously.
There is no RB2 in Jacksonville this year. Robinson has 240 carries and the next most for a position player is Laviska Shenault with 17.
This is not strictly due to the Jaguars wanting to keep Robinson on the field as much as possible — this team’s depth at running back is horrible.
Robinson has done an excellent job, rushing for 1,070 yards, catching 49 passes, and racking up 10 total touchdowns. He has proven his worth as an NFL back and will undoubtedly remain in the team’s plans for 2021 and beyond.
With that being said, the Jaguars have enough picks in this draft to use a selection on a three-down player like Najee Harris, who is a dynamic presence at the running back position with size, speed, hands, vision, and power.
Harris has really taken some big leaps in the past couple of seasons for the Crimson Tide and plays the game like a seasoned veteran. He has 27 total touchdowns in 11 games this season for Alabama, ridiculous production even for a Crimson Tide back.
He has consistently averaged over six yards per carry throughout his days with Alabama and Harris would just be awesome to watch in the same backfield as Trevor Lawrence. That would represent the Jaguars adding two of the smartest offensive players at their respective positions in the same draft class.
Four straight offensive picks for the Jaguars might not actually end up happening, but in this particular simulation, the value presented here was too good to pass up on.
The Jaguars obviously start off with Trevor Lawrence, and from there, I think they do have to go offensive line with one of their next couple of selections. In the second round, they will have some fun flexibility to look at offensive skill players, cornerback depth, or other positions that might have loaded groups in this class.
One spot that has some decent depth is tight end where the Jaguars have a pretty obvious present need.
Hopefully, Josh Oliver can bring something to the table at some point, but that’s no certainty.
Pat Freiermuth would represent a nice upgrade to the Jaguars’ offensive weaponry and is someone who could step in and be an impact player from day one.
Among his 92 receptions in 29 games, Freiermuth had 16 touchdown grabs and showed off consistency as well as big-play ability from the tight end spot.
He has mostly been projected in the first round of mock drafts but if there is a situation where he pops up in the middle of round two as he did here, the Jags would be wise to pounce.
Jaguars 3rd & 4th round picks
Getting into the middle rounds, the Jaguars aren’t necessarily going to just be looking for depth, but for starters.
In this scenario, the Jaguars would be covering all of their bases with Alijah Vera-Tucker capable of playing guard or tackle, Ben Bartch able to play one of the guard spots, and Jackson Carman coming in with his old buddy Trevor Lawrence as the potential developmental left tackle or even guard, where some project him at the next level.
One of the top ball-hawks in the defensive backfield in this draft class, Andre Cisco picked off 13 passes in just 24 games for Syracuse.
Cisco plays extremely fast, reads the field well, and obviously knows how to finish when the ball is in the air.
His ability to create turnovers would be a welcomed addition to the Jaguars’ defense.
Daelin Hayes is an impressive athlete and physical specimen who is a tremendous leader, but he has not quite lived up to his billing as a big-name recruit.
Injuries and really just physical development in general have limited Hayes from becoming what he is capable of, but some NFL team could get the best out of him. He represents a nice depth piece off the edge and someone who has some big splash plays on tape.
Jaguars day three remaining picks
Adding depth to the secondary with Deommodore Lenoir, the Jaguars get someone who can play inside or outside in their defensive scheme, whoever ends up running it.
Oregon runs a very pro-style defense and asks a lot of their players in terms of playing multiple spots. Lenoir is a four-year guy who has a ton of experience and will be able to contribute early on in the NFL.
If you get Trevor Lawrence and Justyn Ross decides to enter the draft, why not take this shot?
If you’re the Jaguars, you have so many picks that there’s just not much to lose at all here.
Ross was one of the premier talents at wide receiver in this class prior to a season-ending injury and some concern over his football future.
If he is medically cleared, there is obviously still some reason for concern, but this would be a fun dart throw.
Graham’s stock might be a little low in this mock draft machine, as he was a three-year player for Oregon whose productivity and technique doesn’t scream “late day three” to me.
In this scenario, however, he represents a great value.
Graham is tremendous attacking the line of scrimmage and has proven so with his 10.5 tackles for loss. He has also been good in coverage with eight interceptions in his three seasons (2017-19).
An undersized but productive edge player, Chris Rumph II would be a fun pickup this late for really any NFL team. He’s going to play his tail off at the next level and will give teams a special teams contributor with some pass rush upside.