Trevor Lawrence’s decision to enter the draft means the Jaguars are putting a lot of hope on the back of a young quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence (photo, Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports & The Atlantic)
Yes, Lawrence has great numbers, but we saw in the two college playoff losses an unbridled side of what could eventually hurt him as a pro. NFL defenses will most certainly focus on containing Lawrence as he tries to get his pro footing playing–and with a below-average team to boot.
We could see a promising career either falter or possibly fail. We’ve seen it happen before. One more year in college would have provided the polish Lawrence needs, but the lure of his talent to the NFL and the rich contract he’ll sign offered a hefty counterweight.
On another QB front, the 49ers have five quarterbacks, so why would they need Justin Fields? To me, it seems as though Fields is a natural fit in a Jets uniform, But perhaps the Jets will go with Zach Wilson and Fields will end up a 49er. The reverse may become reality, too. And Fields could slip deep into the draft–meaning some team would end up with a bargain.
I see the Falcons deciding among Ja’marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Penei Sewell, Kyle Pitts, DaVonta Smith, and Micah Parsons. That’s a bevy of talented football players to sort through, and that situation puts the Falcons in a good position to opt for a trade…depending on how enticing the trade offer is.
This game of dominoes starts with Lawrence ending up in a Jags’ uniform and then other teams figuring out which players are the best fit to address their needs.
Either Wilson or Fields might end up in a Jets’ uniform (and I think it will most likely be Wilson), and the 49ers would be smartest to take Chase. That still leaves the Falcons in control of some pivotal decisions for their franchise. Include the Carolina Panthers in the mix, too–a team that I think will likely take Trey Lance.
We’ll see how things shake out on April 29th.
I know that the team is staking a big amount of their “Real eatate” on Lawrence being that piece that propels them up the NFL ladder, I just wonder why there was a rush to put him at the head of the table so soon. In the eighties the lure was money but now it is back to that pride of examples of talent through the contest of competition more than price tag because money is there now in the NFL just waiting to be handed to the most deserving athlete.
I still think the 49ers have no need for another quarterback so elect to go for Chase. The Falcons barring a trade take Waddle. Bengals grab Sewell and the Broncos take Fields. Lions take Smith, Panthers take Parsons. Miami gets Farley. Cowboys get Paye, Giants take Slater and Eagles take Darrisaw. Chargers select Lance, Vikings take Surtain, Patiots take Ojulari. Indianapolis grabs Tucker, Raiders take Moore, Dolphins take Philips, Washington goes with Jones, Bears are prime to trade or could take Toney. Arizona takes Oweh, Tennessee gets Owusu-Karamoah. Jets go with Jenkins, Pittsburgh grabs Tayson Campbell, Jacksonville takes Moehrig, Cleveland gets Horn, Blah, blah, blah Etienne to the Packers. So I had to ad this edit.
With all the shakeup from trades I missed this. I wasn’t trying to disrespect Pitts. I think he would likely become a Bengal or a Falcon. I thought the Falcons might pass on him because they would want another quick receiver to compliment Jones and Ridley. I do think he would be too high a talent to pass over for long. The appeal of top O lineman in Sewell makes sense with the Burrow addition but a scoring option like Pitts would suit the Bengals quite well. This puts Sewell with the Panthers. So Lawrence, Wilson, Chase, Waddle, Pitts, Fields, Smith, Sewell, Farley, Slater or Vera-Tucker, Parsons, Lance, Surtain, Ojulari, Vera-Tucker or Slater, Moore, Jones, Toney, Oweh, Owusu-Koramoah, Jenkins, Campbell, Moehrig, Darrisaw, Rashod Bateman, Jalen Mayfield, Travis Etienne, Christian Barmore, Levi Onuwuzurike, Samuel Cosmi. That’s the way I see it.