The 2021 NFL Draft changed the direction of the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise because of one man: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence. 

That much is obvious. Even though the franchise wasted one year of his career by placing Urban Meyer at the wheel, Lawrence has met the sky-high expectations placed on him since his first season as a starter at Clemson.  

After his first career trip to the playoffs last season, he's now widely seen as one of the very best quarterbacks in the entire NFL. 

So when you hear that NFL.com analyst Adam Rank is doing a "re-draft" of the 2021 draft class, one thing is clear: The alternative-timeline Jaguars are also picking Lawrence at No. 1 overall. That much isn't a surprise.

But don't forget the Jaguars also held pick the 25th overall pick in that draft. With it, they picked Lawrence's teammate from Clemson: running back Travis Etienne. It was a controversial pick for sure.

Similar to the Bijan Robinson conversation, the doubts about the running back had everything to do with positional value. That's why I consider it a surprise that in Rank's re-draft he's got the Jaguars sticking with the pick.

Pick 25: RB Travis Etienne

As much as I didn't like the Steelers going with a running back in the first round in 2021, that's how much I love that Jacksonville did it with this choice, acquired from the Rams in exchange for Jalen Ramsey. Especially with the way Etienne played for the Jags heading into the playoffs last season (103.3 yards from scrimmage per game over the final four weeks). I'm not completely against choosing an RB in the first round if you have a way to use him, and the Jaguars did. (Well, eventually.)

– Adam Rank, NFL.com

For added context, several other starting-caliber players were left on the board. That includes TE Pat Freiermuth, WR Kadarious Toney, as well as other defensive pieces like LB Nick Bolton. 

In his first season (2021 was derailed due to injuries for Etienne), the Jaguars running back proved himself, though. He carried the football 220 times and racked up 1,125 yards. That's over five yards per carry!

He also picked up another 316 as a receiver.

While the re-draft selection shows that the Jags got their player evaluation right, I'd lean toward Freiermuth in that scenario. The young Steelers tight end is quietly establishing himself as one of the very best in the NFL after a 60-receptions season in 2022.

Giving Lawrence such a weapon since his rookie season likely would've accelerated his development and would've given him a double-edged sword with Evan Engram's addition prior to the 2022 season.

But hey, nothing says it best than a debate around a fictional timeline, am I right? We miss football already.