Jacksonville Jaguars fans were thrilled to secure the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which allowed them to select Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence as their franchise quarterback, aiming to fill the role last held by Mark Brunnell. Despite his status as a highly touted talent, Lawrence faced a difficult rookie year marked by 17 interceptions, the most in the league.
He demonstrated improvement in 2022 and 2023, guiding the Jaguars to consecutive 9-8 records and a playoff berth in his second season. However, his momentum stalled in 2024, a year where he struggled with a sprained shoulder and concussion, failing to consistently perform even when healthy. Now, with a surgically repaired shoulder and new Head Coach Liam Coen leading the offense, Lawrence’s development is at a critical juncture.
Dan Orlovsky’s Rankings Sideline Lawrence Amid Doubts
Despite earlier promise, Lawrence’s production slumped in 2024, averaging a career-low 222.7 passing yards in nine full games. This decline has caused many to overlook his potential, but sources highlight that the core abilities which made him the top prospect remain intact. Coach Liam Coen, known for improving quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, now faces the challenge of revitalizing Lawrence’s career.
ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky recently evaluated the league’s quarterbacks across seven key traits: arm strength, ball placement, mechanics, decision-making, pocket presence, rushing ability, and second reaction. Lawrence failed to reach the top 10 in any of these categories, appearing only as an honorable mention in the second reaction skill set. This omission marks a striking snub for a quarterback once considered the future face of the franchise.
The reasons for this exclusion appear related to Lawrence’s physical attributes and on-field performance. Areas like arm strength and rushing ability included quarterbacks with more outstanding athleticism, and Lawrence’s below-average sack numbers—only 18 in nine games, projecting to 34 over a full season, among the worst for starters—may have contributed to perceptions of vulnerability in the pocket.
The Path Forward for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars
Now, Lawrence must overcome these criticisms and prove skeptics wrong by showing growth in the upcoming season under Liam Coen’s guidance. The Jaguars will be closely watching for signs that Lawrence can reestablish himself as a top-tier quarterback, ideally earning recognition on similar rankings moving forward. His ability to regain form will be crucial if Jacksonville hopes to compete consistently in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/afc/”>AFC.