Where do Lawrence and Etienne rank among 2021 first round picks?
Jacksonville didnt surprise anyone when it used the first-overall pick in the draft to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The move had been a foregone conclusion since the team secured the No. 1 pick. However, the Jaguars also had a pick at No. 25, courtesy of the Jalen Ramsey trade, and they raised some eyebrows when they selected Lawrences college teammate, running back Travis Etienne, in that slot. According to the Draft Wires Luke Easterling, the Lawrence selection ranked as the No. 2 pick in the round, while Etienne came in at just 24th. The justification for ranking Lawrence second, behind Justin Fields, is likely based on value. It was the opinion of many (including this writer) that Fields was closer to Lawrence as a prospect than any other passer was to him. The fact that he fell to Chicago with the 11th pick and was the fourth quarterback off the board is an outright steal. Both have bright futures in this league, but even if you think Lawrence will be better, its hard to argue with the fact that the Bears invested much less in Fields than the Jags did in Lawrence. However, Easterling isnt nearly as high on Etienne, though he actually ranks one spot above where he was drafted. This is likely because of the decreasing value of the running back position, as well as the fact that James Robinson is a more than serviceable incumbent back. Positional value is definitely not the only factor at work, though, as Pittsburgh running back Najee Harris ranks 10th on Easterlings list. Selecting Lawrence was a no-brainer for Jacksonville, and though the move to select Etienne was certainly a risky one, it gives a very clear picture of the type of offense Urban Meyer wants to build. In Etienne, he sees a player with a similar skillset to Percy Harvin or Curtis Samuel, who excelled under Meyers tutelage. And if Etienne turns into the next Alvin Kamara, no one will question the decision to take him late in the first round after solidifying the quarterback position.