April 25, 2021, 7:00 a.m. ET
There is no drama as to who will be the No. 1 pick in this year’s N.F.L. draft. The only question had been which team would get the chance to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Jacksonville Jaguars secured that honor by way of the Jets’ seemingly not understanding that they were supposed to keep losing.
So with the knowledge that Lawrence, a Peyton Manning-like sure thing of a quarterback prospect, is going to Jacksonville to be paired with Coach Urban Meyer in a college-meets-pros marriage, here is a look at the other four quarterbacks likely to go in the top 10 of this year’s draft, which will begin on Thursday with the first round held in Cleveland.
Jaguars very concerned over Alex Smith s health Urban Meyer wanted former Washington starter in Jacksonville Follow Us
Kay C. James
Question of the Day
FILE - Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. Washington’s biggest offseason need is to figure out its quarterback situation. . more > By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times - Monday, April 19, 2021
When the Washington Football Team released Alex Smith last month, one of the logical landing spots for the quarterback appeared to be the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Urban Meyer coached Smith at Utah and general manager Trent Baalke once held the same title for Smith’s old team, the San Francisco 49ers. With the Jaguars expected to draft Trevor Lawrence first overall,
great year for offensive linemen.
That s the view of some analysts when it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft. But it s at the very least a good year – and the 21 line class features a couple of intriguing characteristics.
One is depth. And another is versatility. That s the one underrated part of this draft … the offensive line – both at the interior position and at left and right tackle, longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said.
The 21 draft s top lineman, as is the case in many drafts, is a left tackle. For many analysts, that s Penei Sewell of Oregon – who opted out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19 but who remains a consensus Top 5-to-15 selection.
Evan from Tampa, FL
As a Jags fan now living in Tampa, I have been fortunate to experience the preseason optimism and successes from an elite quarterback. Like Jaguars Nation, I am excited by the prospect of drafting a player like Trevor Lawrence and what the future holds. Having said that, with no noise of Lawrence pulling an Eli Manning or strong desire to shop the pick, I m confused as to why the organization and its coaching staff have been non-committal about solidifying what the fan base and media have all come to expect? Similarly, when the Indianapolis Colts held the No. 1 overall pick in 2012, they made it clear quarterback Andrew Luck would be the guy months before the draft. Interested to hear your take O-Man, and I look forward to making the trip up I-10 this year.
Meyer, Jaguars fail to generate splash in NFL free agency
By MARK LONG - Mar. 15, 2021 08:41 PM EDT FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2020, file photo, Chicago Bears defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. A person familiar with the negotiations says the Jacksonville Jaguars and former Bears defensive lineman Robertson-Harris have agreed on a three-year, $24.4 million deal that includes $14 million guaranteed. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
Coach Urban Meyer s rebuilding project in Jacksonville started with a thud instead of a splash.
The Jaguars opened free agency Monday by agreeing to terms with two defensive linemen who did little in their first contracts; a pair of special teamers; a speedy receiver who failed to reach 530 yards in any of his first six seasons; and a journeyman running back whose first stint in Jacksonville couldn t have gone much worse.