While others faltered, Trevor Lawrence stands atop the 2021 QB class, transforming from a struggling rookie to a record-breaking franchise leader.
The 2021 NFL draft saw five quarterbacks taken among the first 15 picks, and out of them all, Trevor Lawrence -- the No. 1 pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars -- stands alone at the top of the mountain.
Lawrence's draft class included Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones, the other quarterbacks taken in the next 14 picks. The NFL world had high expectations of the 2021 quarterback class, but only Lawrence has been able to live up to them.
The Jaguars' franchise quarterback has been extremely consistent in his five years with the team. Lawrence has completed over 60 percent of his passes in four straight seasons and thrown for over 4,000 yards in three of the last four.
He led the Jaguars to 13-4 and the AFC South title last season, and set the single-season franchise record for touchdowns with 38. Even with all the honors and huzzahs, Lawrence applauds his teammates and coaches for helping him reach those goals.
"You never do it alone," Lawrence told reporters on Jan. 4, after the Jags defeated the Tennessee Titans to wrap up the regular season. "[I] can't throw the ball to myself, can't block for myself. Like, there are so many people involved in that. The coaches, I mean, the game plans, the stuff that we're doing, guys getting open. There's just so much."
Lawrence may be the best quarterback from the 2021 draft class; however, it didn't start that way. He struggled in his rookie year, throwing 17 interceptions to his 12 touchdowns. Jacksonville finished 3-14.
Lawrence bounced back from his unimpressive rookie year by throwing for 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight picks in his sophomore campaign.
He led the Jaguars back to the playoffs, breaking a four-year postseason drought, and picked up a 31-30 wild-card victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Jags' playoff run ended in the second round against the eventual Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Jacksonville missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons following that loss.
As for Lawrence's draft mates, they have struggled to perform similarly, even for one year. Wilson, the No. 2 pick by the New York Jets, has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in his career -- 25 to 23. On Friday, Wilson signed a one-year deal with his fourth team, the New Orleans Saints.
Lance, the No. 3 pick by the San Francisco 49ers, hasn't played more than six games in five seasons. He played two games in 2022 before fracturing his ankle. Since then, he has been a backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and the Chargers.
Fields, the No. 11 pick by the Chicago Bears, has fought for starting jobs, but ultimately ends up losing them halfway through the season. Fields is now with the Chiefs, and coach Andy Reid hopes the former Ohio State standout can lead them while Patrick Mahomes rehabs from a torn ACL and LCL.
Jones, the No. 15 pick by the New England Patriots, had a good rookie season, but struggled in his next two years in Foxborough. The former Alabama standout served as Lawrence's backup during the 2024 season, and stepped up when Lawrence suffered a left shoulder sprain in Week 9, then a concussion in Week 13 that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
He threw for 1,672 yards, eight TDs and eight INTs in 10 games with the Jaguars. As a backup in his first season of a two-year contract with the 49ers in 2025, Jones helped the Niners win games when an injury sidelined Brock Purdy.
Lawrence's consistency with the Jaguars has created a gap between him and his draft mates five years later. His play has granted him the most stability, as he earned a five-year, $275 million extension in June 2024.
The Jaguars landed their star quarterback after a 1-15 season, and it's turned the franchise around with multiple playoff appearances and a division title in the rafters.
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