While the Jacksonville Jaguars had a solid 2020 NFL Draft and could have a solid nucleus after using all 12 of their picks this past weekend, many don’t believe they’ll be very good next year. In fact, the good folks at BetMGM feel as though the Jags have the slimmest chance to win Super Bowl LV, slotting them with odds of 150/1, which is tied with the Washington Redskins.
Of course, that has led many to believe the Jags will be picking first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft that will take place in Cleveland. Additionally, it has also connected them to the prospect who most draft pundits have down as their No. 1 prospect in Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Upon searching the web, it didn’t take long to find a few way-too-early mocks with the Jags taking the young Tiger. In fact, one that came across the Jags Wire’s Twitter timeline Saturday was by The Draft Network’s Trevor Sikkema, who also had the Jags getting Lawrence’s teammate Justyn Ross with their other first-round selection (from the Los Angeles Rams).
Trevor Sikkema (The Draft Network)
1.) Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Gardner Minshew is the guy in Jacksonville for 2020. If the Jaguars are picking anywhere near the top, quarterback will be their biggest need; they’ll get the QB prospect NFL fans have been waiting for for years.
17.) Jacksonville Jaguars – Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
Lawrence to Justyn Ross sounds so good on the broadcasts, why break that up?
Talk about a pairing. While I’m more of a Justin Fields type of guy, Lawrence and Ross have done some phenomenal things on the collegiate level and Jags fans should have their popcorn ready if this happens.
Sporting News was another publication that has posted their way-too-soon mock and it bared the same result with the No. 1 overall pick, however, the Jags were able to land some defensive help with their other first-round selection.
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News)
1.) Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The Jaguars may be sticking with Gardner Minshew. And with more potential departures to shake up their offensive and defensive rebuild, there’s a fair chance they will have the clear shot at Lawrence. Lawrence (6-6, 220 pounds) has lived up to the hype of being the best college talent at the position since John Elway with his arm, athleticism, accuracy and winning qualities. Already a top passer, he found his groove as a runner last season.
15.) Jacksonville Jaguars LaBryan Ray, DT, Alabama
The Jaguars strongly consider linebacker, edge rusher and secondary in the 2020 draft, so it follows they would be more into this defensive position in 2021, looking to give third-round rookie Davon Hamilton a strong complement. Look for Ray to dominate during his final season with the Crimson Tide at 6-5, 292 pounds.
Just like the pairing of Lawrence and Ross, the pairing of LaBryan Ray and DaVon Hamilton sound pretty good two. After years of watching the pairing of John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, it would seem as though a lot of Jags fans could get behind this.
The crew over at CBS also have a 2021 way-too-soon mock up by Ryan Wilson. He spoke with analysts Barton Simmons and Pete Prisco (who knows the Jags very well). Prisco praised Lawrence as a very good quarterback and said he’s a better quarterback than 2020 first-round pick Joe Burrow, who Lawrence battled in the national championship.
CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson)
Of course, there is a lot of football to be played before we even try to start remotely predicting the Jags’ 2021 outlook but it does provide fans with a fun conversation to have.
This also doesn’t mean that Gardner Minshew II should be overlooked as he led the Jags to six wins in 2019. He’ll have some new weapons in draft selections Laviska Shenault and Collin Johnson and will also have a new veteran tight end in Tyler Eifert to target if he can stay healthy. Add that with some more growth from Leonard Fournette and D.J. Chark, with the return of Josh Oliver, and it appears the Mississippi Mustache could really improve.
If he takes a big enough step, awesome, the Jags have their quarterback of the future. If not, that may not necessarily be a bad thing either as it could lead them to a front-row seat for the Lawrence or Fields show.