The 2021 quarterback class has been tabbed as historic. Three talented passers will occupy the first three picks for the first time in over 20 years. It’s even possible four quarterbacks will represent the first four picks for the first time in history.
All we really know is which quarterbacks are going first, and no one is going ahead of Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence has been labeled a generational talent at the quarterback position ever since he got to Clemson. But in the last year-and-a-half, Joe Burrow’s presence has sparked a debate over which quarterback is better.
This debate has taken several turns over the last several seasons. One expert last season said he preferred Burrow, the Bengals’ star QB, but Mel Kiper Jr. said Lawrence is the better player between the two this offseason.
Now the discourse has taken another turn. This time it is courtesy of an unnamed AFC Quarterbacks Coach. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero released the coaches take:
“If you didn’t take him and you’re Jacksonville, and it turned out that he was a perennial Pro Bowler, then you’ll never live it down. They have to take him. I think the intangibles are there. He can throw the ball. But he does not have unique, rare playmaking ability. If I’m comparing last year to this year, Joe Burrow is picked over Trevor Lawrence 100 times out of 100.”
Lawrence has long been seen as the top choice in this years NFL draft, even though it is full of other top-tier quarterbacks. He showed his potential in Clemson over the last three seasons, and is poised to be a solid player at the pro level as well.
All Bengals fans saw with their own two eyes the unique skill set Burrow posses before his injury last season. If those traits continue to progress, it might not be long before Burrow completely shuts down this argument for good.
Either way if Lawrence does go first overall to Jacksonville, there should be plenty of battles between the two throughout their careers.
We won’t have to wait long as the first one actually lines up this season as the Jacksonville Jaguars will make the trip to Paul Brown Stadium.
Get the popcorn ready, with all the hype Lawrence has it could be a fun one.
