Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence among top signal callers in new ESPN ranking
Trevor Lawrence is finally starting to get some respect. The Jaguars' quarterback had a massive bounce back season in 2022 after a rocky 2021 campaign. He flipped basically every statistical category for the better, as the team transformed from bottom of the barrel in the AFC to a division winner. Where did that put him […]
Trevor Lawrence is finally starting to get some respect.
The Jaguars' quarterback had a massive bounce back season in 2022 after a rocky 2021 campaign. He flipped basically every statistical category for the better, as the team transformed from bottom of the barrel in the AFC to a division winner.
Where did that put him in the league's eyes? Highly respected, as it turns out. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler continued with his top 10 list at each position based upon feedback from NFL executives, coaches, scouts, and players, and Lawrence checked in on the list at #8.
Lawrence valued into the top 10 with a stellar sophomore campaign, throwing for 4,113 yards and 25 touchdowns with 8 interceptions to lead Jacksonville to its first payoff berth since 2017.
He caught fire in the second half of the season. During Weeks 9-18, he ranked second in completion percentage (70%) and touchdown-interception ratio (15-2) to lead Jacksonville to a 7-2 finish and a playoff berth.
"He looked like the player that was promised in the [2021] draft," an NFL coordinator said. "It wouldn't surprise me if he's a top-five passer at the same time next year."
Lawrence ranked third in completions of longer than 20 yards (55) and posted a 78.6 QBR against the blitz, ranking sixth.
A second year with coach Doug Pederson – who can work Calvin Ridley into the mix – should quell any reservations about Lawrence's growth in Year 3, one AFC exec said.
"The only knock on him is he takes too many risks — like, Did you really need to try to squeeze that in there?" a veteran NFL offensive coach said. "But I'd rather that than someone who doesn't play with that confidence." – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN.com
The switch seemed to flip for Lawrence after the team got back from London following a 21-17 loss to Denver. In five of the following six games, the Jags' signal caller finished with a QB rating north of 106. The Jags won each game. The lone exception was in a 40-14 burn-the-game-tape loss to Detroit.
So as Lawrence goes, so do the Jaguars. And the going could be good this fall. He's had a full season now of Press Taylor's offense under his belt. He's had an offseason to evaluate what worked and what didn't. His star tight end signed to a long-term deal. He has a brand-new #1 WR in Calvin Ridley to throw to.
If he can carry over the momentum from last season, then he may prove said NFL coordinator correct and end up as one of the top five QBs in the league. And that could mean very lofty things for Jacksonville in 2023.
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Featured image via Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
