Despite holding the No.2 pick, the New York Jets might have a clear shot towards the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes should this happen.
The New York Jets felt like they lost when they won their first game in Week 15. The Los Angeles Rams all but put the then-winless franchise out of the running for the top selection, thus ruining their shot in the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes.
One would think that entering Week 16 and the Jacksonville Jaguars are set to grab the top pick. However, could there be an analogy where somehow the Jags pull the ultimate fluke and don’t end up with the Clemson superstar?
In most situations, no. Instead, a recent report could have Duval County holding their breath when on the clock in April’s Draft.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Jaguars could target former Ohio State’s Urban Meyer for their next head coach this offseason. If that’s the case, what’s stopping the former Buckeye coach from connecting with current Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields back at the professional level?
Meyer could control Lawrence’s fate
Meyer was gone before Fields arrived in Columbus, though that shouldn’t stop him from connecting with a player who has been a standout in two seasons. The drop off from Lawrence to Fields is substantial, but any other draft class likely would see the Buckeye as the top choice entering the offseason.
Fields will need to be placed in the right offensive personnel to work early in the NFL. Ryan Day’s system is similar to that of Meyer’s, making the transition a smooth one early. Plus, the supporting cast in Jacksonville is much stronger than the one in the Big Apple.
Meyer would control the draft, thus toying with Lawrence’s fate. Now, he could force the Jets to trade multiple picks to move up one spot and start fresh with perhaps the top quarterback prospect the league has seen. And with a pair of first-round selections this year, that’s likely the starting price.
If not, BYU’s Zach Wilson might be a better fit for New York anyway, meaning Meyer could trade back with another team and still grab Fields. While the Jets would consider all options at No.2, Lawrence is set to become the next big name in the NFL.
For the right price, they shouldn’t hesitate to make a deal with Meyer.
With his connections to Gainesville, that should be Meyer’s landing spot should he return to the playbook. If so, he could change the entire draft with one phone call.