Here’s why B/R feels there is a reason for optimism for Jags fans

Like many Jags fans, Bleacher Report believes No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence is the biggest reason for optimism heading into camp.

The 2020 season was a dark and gloomy time for Jacksonville Jaguars fans who saw the last remaining key parts of their 2017 AFC Championship roster shipped away. To make matters worse, the team endured its worst season in team history afterward, registering just one win.

However, the Jags’ 1-15 season provided a brighter future, putting them in position to part ways with their old regime, which for the most part was a huge mess. Most importantly they were able to secure the No. 1 overall pick at the perfect time before the highest-graded prospect since Andrew Luck entered the draft.

As many are aware, that moment is in the history books and the Jags did indeed select Trevor Lawrence as expected. And while some still can’t believe the former Tiger is now a Jag, it became officially official on July 5 when Lawrence signed a four-year deal worth $36.8 million.

Now, it’s time to see if he can turn the franchise around like fans of the NFL witnessed other highly regarded quarterbacks do. Like many fans in Duval, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox is high on that coming to reality, deeming Lawrence the Jags’ biggest reason for optimism heading into training camp.

Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick out of Clemson, has been touted as a can’t-miss prospect ever since his freshman season. He won a national championship as a true freshman and led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff in each of his three seasons.

More importantly, though, Lawrence has all the physical tools needed to thrive at the next level.

As long as Jacksonville can avoid setting up Lawrence to fail, he should begin turning around the franchise as early as this season.

Despite winning just one game last season, the Jags have a respectable group in place to help Lawrence as a rookie. There are receivers like DJ Chark, Laviska Shenault Jr., and veteran Marvin Jones Jr., as well as James Robinson, who was a 1,000-plus yard rusher last season. And while he’s just as unproven as Lawrence, the Jags also spent the No. 25 overall pick on explosive tailback Travis Etienne, who shared the backfield with the rookie quarterback at Clemson.

Nobody is exactly expecting the Jags to make the playoffs, but if Lawrence can have a rookie season like Justin Herbert, they will make a lot of progress in 2021. Then again, the AFC South isn’t the strongest division, and repeating the success of the former Oregon quarterback may just sneak the Jags in the postseason by some miracle.

Jags rookie OT Walker Little signs rookie contract, Travis Etienne also makes significant official

The Jags wrapped up their rookie signings Tuesday and OT Walker Little was among them.

With rookies reporting for camp Tuesday, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed their full 2021 draft class by getting second-round picks Tyson Campbell (who we’ve already discussed) and Walker Little under contract. They also made the signing of Travis Etienne official after he had agreed to terms Monday. 

Little, 22, was the Jags’ second Round 2 selection in April’s draft and was the  45th pick of Day 2 of the process. The left tackle attended Stanford from 2017−20 and played in 22 career games. In 2018, he also was able to become a first-team, All-Pac 12 honoree. 

Little will be a key player to watch in camp and the preseason as he’s only played in a game since 2019. The reason for that is because he tore his ACL in 2019 and opted out in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite his lack of time on the field, though, Jags offensive line coach George Warhop praised Little for being prepared in organized team activities and minicamp.

At 6-foot-7, 309 pounds, Little appears to be the Jags’ left tackle of the future. It was speculated the Jags would select an offensive tackle in the draft, though they signed Cam Robinson to a one-year deal through the franchise tag. With the tag being just under $14 million, it appears Robinson will start, which will give Little a year to learn the ropes (unless he changes positions) and fill in if an injury occurs.

Per Over the Cap, the total value on Little’s contract will be around an estimated total of $7,621,716. His signing bonus is estimated to be around the amount of $2,903,064.

As for Etienne, he was taken in the first-round with the No. 25 overall selection out of Clemson. He’ll be joining his former teammate Trevor Lawrence in the process of his rookie campaign and is expected to contribute as a “slash” player according to coach Urban Meyer. The details on his signing can be read here.

WATCH: Trevor Lawrence joins Travis Etienne for Panini America photoshoot

Etienne discussed his excitement for the first game and the reps he’s gotten at receiver, among other things.

Since the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne with their two first-round picks, it’s been hard to talk about one without mentioning the other. The duo won a national title together with the Tigers, and they’ll hope that success translates to the NFL.

Lawrence’s selection with the first-overall pick was long expected, but the Jags’ decision to take Etienne at No. 25 came as a little bit more of a surprise. But coach Urban Meyer liked the explosive playmaking Etienne demonstrated in college, and at a photoshoot for Panini America promoting his rookie card, the running back said he was ready to do the same in the NFL.

“I just can’t wait to provide big plays for Duval Nation,” Etienne said. “I feel like my first game is going to be very nerve-racking and I’ll be filled with so many emotions. Nerves will be all over the place but I feel like after the ball is kicked off, I get my first hit, and first tackle when they hit me one time, I will be great.”

The Jaguars hope that having a familiar target out of the backfield will aid in Lawrence’s development. The future franchise quarterback said that Etienne’s presence has been a huge plus when considering their bond.

“It’s been awesome having Travis here,” Lawrence said. “Obviously we have known each other for three years now, and being able to hang out, you know, outside of here but also just have a guy in the building that I have played with for the past three years, it just, you know, adds a little bit of comfort coming somewhere new and we are just really excited to do something great in Jacksonville.”

Though Etienne was used as Clemson’s primary running back, he’ll likely see a different role in the NFL. He’s projected to see action as a third-down back and should see a lot of targets in the passing game. Etienne discussed the adjustments he’s had to make in order to take on more receiver responsibilities.

“So now I am just like kind of learning real receiver routes, and having Trev here to go just do simple things as run routes outside and just kind of go over it by ourselves has really been great for me and really helped me just speed up that process,” Etienne said.

Jacksonville will hope the duo is a part of a lot of success in a Jaguars uniform as the franchise enters this new era.

Look: Panini reveals Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne rookie cards

Panini will be releasing their rookie card sets soon and it will include Jaguars first-round picks Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence.

Panini America recently revealed their Rated Rookie card set, which features various rookies taken in April’s NFL Draft. Among this year’s group were Jacksonville Jaguars first-round picks Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, both of whom were Clemson stars.

Of course, Lawrence was the first overall pick and had been suspected to be the Jags’ choice for quite some time. Then, with pick No. 25 (courtesy of Los Angeles), they somewhat shocked fans by selecting Etienne. However, after the dust settled it was clear the Jags drafted him to be more of an all-around explosive weapon more than a running back.

As they have in the past, Panini did an excellent job with their rookie cards this season. Both can be purchased on Panini’s site, though they won’t be released for another 18 days.

(Card image credit to Panini America)

NFL Network projects Travis Etienne to be fourth-most productive rookie RB

The Jags confused a lot of people with the selection of Travis Etienne, but it appears they view him as a much-needed slash weapon.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first pick of April’s draft was a no-brainer as the team took quarterback Trevor Lawrence to lead their franchise. However, they somewhat shocked fans by selecting Lawrence’s teammate in running back Travis Etienne afterward with pick No. 25
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While Etienne is undoubtedly talented, the reason many scratched their heads upon his selection is that the team already has James Robinson, which could cause a problem in terms of distribution between the two. For this reason, NFL Network’s Cynthia Frelund has projected Etienne to be the fourth-most productive running back of the 2020 draft class under Najee Harris, Javonte Williams, and Trey Sermon.

Last season, the Jaguars ranked 15th in expected yards per rush (4.3), meaning their offensive line was about average on rushing downs. They took the fewest rushing attempts (337) and netted the fewest rushing TDs in the league (nine). It’s still unclear how/when Etienne and James Robinson will be used, which isn’t great for fantasy. But Etienne’s familiarity with Clemson teammate Trevor Lawrence sure doesn’t hurt his prospects, especially as a weapon in the passing game. PFF counts Etienne as forcing 187 missed tackles over the past three seasons (most in the FBS). Etienne doesn’t rate higher in overall median forecasting because it’s crowded in Jacksonville’s backfield, not because his explosive talent doesn’t warrant it. Cynthia Frelund, NFL.com

The good news for Etienne is that the Jags have openly said they want to use him in a slash role. With that being the case, they brought him in for more explosive plays and seem to have plans for him to be utilized as a receiver occasionally. As a running back, he could be a third-down rusher.

If these plans come to fruition for the Jags, Robinson’s stats shouldn’t be significantly reduced. At the same time, he should benefit from Etienne’s addition after having to miss the Jags’ last two games in 2020 (ankle injury) as he had the league’s highest carry percentage.

Travis Etienne could be Jacksonville’s breakout fantasy star in 2021

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report lists rookie running back Travis Etienne as the top breakout fantasy candidate for the Jags.

Aside from a few years with Maurice Jones-Drew and Leonard Fournette’s rookie season in 2017, Jacksonville’s skill-position players are rarely highly sought-after fantasy football commodities. But with a brand-new offense, courtesy of coach Urban Meyer (one of the primary architects of the modern spread offense) and a potential superstar franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, you can expect that to change.

This season may be a bit of a transition as Lawrence attempts to learn the ropes of running an NFL offense. Regardless of how far along he gets in his development as a rookie, though, the unit as a whole should be much more productive in 2021.

With that in mind, who should Jacksonville’s top fantasy football options be? Players like James Robinson, who led the NFL in carry percentage last season, and receiver D.J. Chark, who is sure to be one of Lawrence’s favorite targets, are solid options.

But according to Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, Travis Etienne, the rookie running back the Jaguars selected with the 25th overall pick, is the top fantasy breakout candidate in 2021.

A running back who receives a significant target rate in the passing game is the golden goose of fantasy football. Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara changed how everyone viewed the position because both can be legitimate lead backs while simultaneously serving as their team’s No. 1 target.

Travis Etienne may be cast in the same mold.

“He’s the Percy Harvin, we’re hoping. I mean, those are big shoes, when you say something like that,” Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer said during an interview on 1010XL 92.5 FM JAX Sports Radio (h/t the Spun’s Chris Rosvoglou). “But you’ve got Parris Campbell, you’ve got Curtis Samuel, those types of players. Offensive coordinators love those kind of guys who can do multiple things.”

The Jaguars also have James Robinson, and he’s no slouch. But Etienne’s utilization in the passing game should more than make up for any lost carries he experiences.

Given the fact that Meyer and the rest of the coaching staff have referred to Etienne as a “slash” player, it seems very likely that he will occupy a role similar to that of Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, though perhaps not quite as productive.

Either way, as Sobleski mentions, a running back who plays a major role in the passing game is the most desirable target in fantasy football, especially in leagues that follow Points Per Reception (PPR) format. Etienne was a factor in Clemson’s passing game in college, but not nearly to the extent it seems the Jags plan to use him. If he can manage that change well, he’ll be a major sleeper in fantasy football drafts.

Where do Lawrence and Etienne rank among 2021 first round picks?

The Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling had Trevor Lawrence as the No. 2-ranked first-round pick, while Travis Etienne came in at No. 24.

Jacksonville didn’t surprise anyone when it used the first-overall pick in the draft to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The move had been a foregone conclusion since the team secured the No. 1 pick. However, the Jaguars also had a pick at No. 25, courtesy of the Jalen Ramsey trade, and they raised some eyebrows when they selected Lawrence’s college teammate, running back Travis Etienne, in that slot.

Where do these two picks stack up among all first-round picks in the draft? According to the Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling, the Lawrence selection ranked as the No. 2 pick in the round, while Etienne came in at just 24th.

The justification for ranking Lawrence second, behind Justin Fields, is likely based on value. It was the opinion of many (including this writer) that Fields was closer to Lawrence as a prospect than any other passer was to him. The fact that he fell to Chicago with the 11th pick and was the fourth quarterback off the board is an outright steal.

Both have bright futures in this league, but even if you think Lawrence will be better, it’s hard to argue with the fact that the Bears invested much less in Fields than the Jags did in Lawrence.

However, Easterling isn’t nearly as high on Etienne, though he actually ranks one spot above where he was drafted. This is likely because of the decreasing value of the running back position, as well as the fact that James Robinson is a more than serviceable incumbent back. Positional value is definitely not the only factor at work, though, as Pittsburgh running back Najee Harris ranks 10th on Easterling’s list.

Selecting Lawrence was a no-brainer for Jacksonville, and though the move to select Etienne was certainly a risky one, it gives a very clear picture of the type of offense Urban Meyer wants to build. In Etienne, he sees a player with a similar skillset to Percy Harvin or Curtis Samuel, who excelled under Meyer’s tutelage.

And if Etienne turns into the next Alvin Kamara, no one will question the decision to take him late in the first round after solidifying the quarterback position.

Jags rank 25th in these preseason power rankings

Jacksonville is expected to improve but not compete for the playoffs in these power rankings from Sports Illustrated’s Rick Gosselin.

Jacksonville may not be competitive for a playoff spot in 2021, but the team should at least be able to avoid the first overall pick again after cleaning house and bringing in a new front office, quarterback, and a number of players at other positions of need.

In the latest power rankings from Sports Illustrated’s Rick Gosselin, the Jaguars come in at No. 25, up seven spots from where they finished the 2020 season.

New QB Trevor Lawrence has won 86 of his 90 starts over the last seven years as a starting quarterback in high school and college. New coach Urban Meyer has won 85.3 percent of his games (187-72) in a 17-year career as a college coach. They arrive at a franchise that has suffered double-digit losses in nine of the last 10 seasons. How quickly does the culture change?

Recent history has suggested that culture changes don’t happen quickly enough for the Jags to expect a major turnaround in 2021. But it’s not unheard of. Andrew Luck, the first overall pick in 2012, inherited an Indianapolis team that went 2-14 and took it to the playoffs in Year 1.

Expecting Lawrence to do the same is probably unfair, but it does seem fair to expect that the team will take a big leap forward in a number of ways. Lawrence should help what was an anemic passing game in 2020, and now that running back James Robinson won’t have to lead the league in carry percentage again after the addition of Travis Etienne, the offense should be fairly balanced.

This season may represent a transition year in Jacksonville, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some good football played. The question is just how fast Meyer and Co. can catalyze these changes.

Travis Etienne is Jaguars top new weapon in 2021

According to Bleacher Report, the 25th overall pick will have the biggest offensive impact for the Jaguars of any new addition.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ decision to use the 25th pick in last month’s NFL draft to select Clemson running back Travis Etienne blindsided many in the league. With the position decreasing in value every year and the performance of undrafted rookie James Robinson in 2020, it seemed like a move that ignored more pressing needs for the team.

But coach Urban Meyer definitely had a plan when he targeted Etienne, and the team has tipped its hand a bit with regard to what that plan is. The staff has referred to Etienne as a “slash” player, indicating that he will be used both in the backfield and as a wide receiver, in a similar role to the one held by Percy Harvin under Meyer at Florida.

And it’s for this reason that Etienne is considered the top new weapon added for the Jaguars this offseason, according to Bleacher Report (whose list didn’t include signal-callers).

The Jacksonville Jaguars made former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. While Lawrence will be the player opposing defenses game-plan for the most, fellow Clemson product Travis Etienne will create plenty of mismatches.

Lawrence loves what he has in his former and current teammate.

“I’ll say from my experience playing with Travis, from my first year to my third year, he just improved so much catching the ball,” Lawrence told Yahoo Sports’ Eric Edholm. “So much. Just put the film on, you’ll see him making plays. As each year went on, he was making more and more plays in the passing game. More confident and more dangerous.”

Etienne’s versatility will be a major asset for the Jaguars, as will his chemistry with Lawrence. He had 914 rushing yards, 588 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns last season and could see similar production as a rookie.

With running back James Robinson set to return after his own impressive rookie campaign, Etienne may not see as much backfield work as he did in 2020, but 1,000-plus scrimmage yards and double-digit touchdowns aren’t out of the question.

Between Robinson and Etienne, Jacksonville has one of the most formidable backfields in the league, and if Etienne is successful in playing out wide, he’s just another target for Lawrence. Etienne’s ability as a receiver would also add to a receivers group that already has D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault and free-agent addition Marvin Jones Jr.

Though Jacksonville finished 21st in passing yards per game and tied for 28th in rushing yards per game in 2020, those numbers were hindered by the lack of depth behind Robinson and injuries to quarterback Gardner Minshew.

With a much more developed rushing game to go with an upgrade at the most important position in Lawrence, this unit has the potential to take a major leap forward and be among the upper half of NFL offenses in 2021.

Travis Etienne reveals the team he expected to select him in Round 1

Travis Etienne is happy to be a Jaguar, but he thought another team had a stronger chance to get him after the Steelers passed on him.

While there were a select few that saw it coming, most Jacksonville Jaguars fans were shocked by the selection of Travis Etienne with pick No. 1. Those same fans eventually came to like the pick and understand it more after the team reiterated that they wanted to make the offense as explosive as possible with fast weapons and playmakers.

Etienne himself was a little shocked by the pick, though he was hoping he’d end up with his former teammate Trevor Lawrence after the Pittsburgh Steelers passed on him and took running back Najee Harris. However, despite the intrigue with rejoining Lawrence, he revealed that he thought the Buffalo Bills were going to be the ones to call him that Thursday night in the latest episode of the Jags’ offseason documentary show called “The Hunt.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flGBtX2QJ-0&feature=emb_logo

“I knew it could happen [going to the Jags], but I was thinking I was going 30 to the Bills,” Etienne said.

This makes a lot of sense as ESPN’s Todd McShay reported that the Bills had interest in making a move up from pick No. 30 for a running back last month.

“The last bit of buzz for you, Travis Etienne is the hottest running back in this class right now in terms of where his draft stock is going to be. I’m told that Buffalo at 30 is talking to teams ahead of the Jets at 23 and Jacksonville at 25 and going ahead of Pittsburgh as well trying to get in position to get Etienne,” McShay said via the Ryen Russilo podcast. “They think that he’s the best back. They want to pair him up obviously with Josh Allen and create that backfield.”

Obviously, the Bills weren’t able to get anything done and the Jags and Urban Meyer got a player they liked. Now with the Atlantic Coast Conference all-time rushing leader (he had 4,952 total rushing yards) in Jacksonville, the Jags have a variety of weapons for Lawrence to utilize as a rookie, which could make the unit a dark horse group in 2021.