The Jacksonville Jaguars have no doubt that they found their franchise quarterback two years ago when they drafted Trevor Lawrence in 2021. The rest of the AFC South is hoping they just did the same.
On Thursday night, the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts used top five draft picks to select C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson Jr., respectively. A day later, the Tennessee Titans traded up to take Will Levis with the No. 33 overall pick.
For now, the Jaguars are a significant favorite to win the AFC South in 2023. If Stroud, Richardson, and/or Levis prove to be worth the selection(s), Jacksonville will have tough competition in the future. If not, the Jaguars are set up to have the division in a stranglehold for the foreseeable future.
Stroud was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Ohio State, Richardson had one of the most remarkable combine workouts a quarterback has ever had, and Levis accounted for 54 total touchdowns in two years at Kentucky.
While each player has qualities that made them an early selection, none was as highly touted as a draft prospect as Lawrence was two years ago. And the rookie trio has plenty of catching up to do in the pros, as Lawrence has ascended into a Pro Bowl player in his first two seasons in the NFL.
Much of the future outlook of the AFC South will depend on how the quarterbacks picked Thursday and Friday fare. The Jaguars have reason to feel great about their situation, though.
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