It has been widely speculated that Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence will forfeit his final year of eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
If he does so, he will be the most talented and highly sought QB in the draft class.
Keeping with that train of thought is the fact that the winless New York Jets, if current trends continue, would have the first pick in the draft.
So Lawrence could become a New York Jet in Spring 2021.
There is so much pressure with being the first pick of the draft.
The pressure is on both the player and the team.
That being said, let’s look at three ways the Jets could ruin Trevor Lawrence.
1. Rush Him Into Action
It has worked well in recent years to put the newly drafted quarterback immediately into action.
Baker Mayfield played lights out football with the Cleveland Browns in 2018 as the first overall draft pick.
Kyler Murray has done well with the Cardinals as the 2019 first overall pick.
The 2020 first overall pick Joe Burrow is also doing very well in his rookie season with the Bengals.
But there are also the players who play extremely well in college and struggle early and often in the NFL.
1993 Heisman Trophy runner-up Heath Shuler is a good example of this.
So is 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel.
It depends on the player’s maturity and the organization as to when he should be put in that leadership role.
Steve Mariucci recently said on NFL Network’s Gameday Morning that a young quarterback’s best friends are a solid defense and a good running game.
If the Jets don’t have these elements in place, Trevor Lawrence could fail.
(Note, these elements have not been in place for the current Jets QB Sam Darnold who was not the first overall pick but has woefully struggled also.)
For every Jets fan who wants to bail on Sam Darnold for Trevor Lawrence,the O-Line is bad and Jets don't have 1 impact player on https://t.co/7n0Ced6aJF QB could survive this fiasco
— mkajet (@mkajet) October 22, 2020
2. Field A Bad Defense
No, Trevor Lawrence does not play defense.
But a rookie quarterback benefits from a great team on the other side of the ball.
Why?
Because a good defense stops the opposing team’s offense, creates turnovers, and initiates good field position for the offense.
Ask Joe Burrow about bad defenses.
@JoeyB im so sorry the defense is so insanely bad, you deserve to have at least 3 wins right now. Just know #Bengals fans love you bro!
— Chadwick (@Wick014) October 25, 2020
3. Give Him No Running Game To Rely On
Lawrence needs a solid running game to rely on.
No rookie quarterback needs the added pressure of carrying the whole offense on his shoulders (or arm).
Good players in the backfield allow him to hand off and keep him out of trouble.
A running back gives him an outlet to hopefully eliminate ill-advised throws that end up as interceptions.
And maybe more importantly a good running game hinges upon a team having a good offensive line.
Nobody wants to be the 2021 version of the 1989 Troy Aikman and Dallas Cowboys.
It remains a miracle that Aikman made it out of that season alive.
Troy Aikman's rookie year he had 9 TDs and 18 Ints in 1989. Year before Emmitt Smiths rookie year and Irvin only started 6 games. Patience.
— Bootleg Fantasy Football (@BootlegFantasy) November 30, 2016
Disclaimer
This article is written on the assumption that Trevor Lawrence is leaving Clemson early.
That certainly appeared to be his intention during the pandemic.
In the past week or so, he seems to be reevaluating his options.
Should Trevor Lawrence return to Clemson after the season or enter the 2021 NFL Draft? 🤔 https://t.co/GUDgL1PG9U pic.twitter.com/zpYygqP2xa
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 28, 2020
Many NFL executives expect Trevor Lawrence to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft despite his recent comments, per Adam Schefter.
— JPA (@jpafootball) November 1, 2020
Compounding that, he tested positive for COVID-19 this week so Trevor Lawrence is very much at a crossroads with both his physical health and decisions about his future.
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