Will Former Clemson Quarterback Star Lawrence Jumpstart Jacksonville Revival?
The 2021 NFL Draft is just around the corner and with the first pick this year, everyone knows who the Jacksonville Jaguars will be going for. After making an impressive impact with Clemson Tigers, the opportunity to land 21-year-old Trevor Lawrence is like a lottery win for the franchise, as they aim to build a team of championship contenders.
Given the inevitable enthusiasm the NFL Draft always creates, it will be equally interesting to see how leading picks affect betting markets heading into the 2021 NFL season. This bet365 review highlights why they are the biggest online sportsbook in the world, offering a huge choice of gridiron betting options. But how does such a well-known and trusted source rate the Jacksonville Jaguars and what effect does it have?
Well, ahead of an eagerly anticipated rebuild focusing heavily on the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars are +6600 longshots to win Super Bowl LVI. In other futures, they are +3300 to take the AFC Championship and +1200 to top the AFC West. Those forecasts will undoubtedly fluctuate once the draft picks have been confirmed.
Despite the underwhelming odds, fans of the Jaguars are hopeful a revolution is about to unfold. After the dreadful 1-15 losing 2020 NFL campaign, the Jacksonville franchise is putting the pieces in place for an exciting rebuild. When he was appointed as head coach, Urban Meyer always knew his task would be to forge an entirely new-look team.
As the keystone to that team, Trevor Lawrence can be the franchise quarterback for the next decade, the kind of exceptional once-in-a-generation talent upon which future success can be built. Given they have the number one pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, his arrival was already a foregone conclusion for Meyer and the Jaguars.
Such is the level of excitement and eager anticipation ahead of the new season, CBS Sports reported that season-ticket sales are booming in Jacksonville. Fans are thrilled at the prospect of seeing Lawrence in action, while at the same time, intrigued by the promise of what Meyer has to offer as head coach.
Meyer has an exceptional track record in college football, having led several teams to conference and national championships over the years. He is renowned for bringing the best out of teams, along with nurturing talented players and helping them to realise their true potential. That will be vital towards maximizing the effect Lawrence will have at the Jaguars.
ESPN analysts regard Lawrence as one of the best quarterback prospects they have ever graded. Meanwhile, former Dallas Cowboys executive Gil Brandt has lavished Lawrence with glowing praise. “Elway athlete” and “Manning accuracy” were the comparisons Brandt used to describe the former Clemson star, who boasts the “best of both” in his opinion.
Fans of the Jaguars will undoubtedly be filled with high hopes and expectations of success, yet history has a way of tempering lofty ambitions. Since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger, 25 quarterbacks have been drafted first. Just 8 went on to reach a Super Bowl with the teams who drafted them, while only 3 actually won a championship.
Nevertheless, it’s fair to say Lawrence will be aiming to buck that trend with the Jaguars. If they can complement his talents with other quality additions to the roster, the Jacksonville franchise may indeed be able to usher in a thrilling new era in the NFL. Such opportunities don’t come around often, which means they would be remiss to waste it.
