The NFL Draft is an inflection point for teams and players alike. They do so with an eager hope to rewrite their futures at this pipeline-shaping event. From rule changes to MVP candidates, this year was the year of the underrated. Among them, Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shedeur Sanders, Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings, and Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers really made a case. Unfortunately, the way the draft played out has caused a huge overreaction in both the evaluation of quarterback performances and the strategy that teams should take.
Trevor Lawrence, through four seasons in the league, has a total of 69 touchdown passes to 46 interceptions. Even with these gaudy numbers, he has not quite produced as much as the massive promise that was foretold throughout his college career. The Jaguars, now under new management with a fresh coach and general manager, made waves by trading up on the first night of the draft for Hunter, a player who could quickly become a centerpiece of the franchise.
Shedeur Sanders, a consensus first-round future great at QB who we didn’t see picked up when Round 1 wrapped raised eyebrows. Given that five quarterbacks went in the first three rounds, his absence from the first was especially alarming. The judgment calls made with these quarterbacks point to a shifting mix of NFL talent, as well as changing NFL team demands.
The Jaguars’ Bold Moves
The Jacksonville Jaguars have undergone more upheaval this offseason than any team in the league — this is a franchise with a new head coach and general manager. Thanks to these changes, the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in a great position for a strategic retooling of their roster. Whether it’s trading up for Hunter on draft night, that would be a serious show of faith in commitment to building around Lawrence. It addresses several big needs for the team.
Hunter’s potential impact on the Jaguars would be equally hard to overstate. And as long as he keeps them happy, he’s going to be one of the most-named players in Jacksonville. As the team prepares for another season, stronger performance on these fronts will be key. The front office’s aggressive approach reflects their belief in Hunter’s ability to contribute immediately and help Lawrence reach his full potential.
While Lawrence still grows into his potential, where his career goes is an ongoing question that many are still watching. Critics will say that he hasn’t lived up to the hype that surrounded him when he came into the league during his college career at Clemson. Yet, with a new mayor and a new concentration of skilled talent, it sounds like there’s new hope for a turnaround.
The Quarterback Shuffle
The quarterback landscape in the NFL has historically been a volatile one, and this year’s draft did nothing but deepen that reality. Deshaun Watson’s new surgery on his right Achilles tendon puts further question marks on his availability this upcoming season. And with uncertainty still surrounding his recovery timeline, just about everyone has assumed that even when he does get back, we’re talking limited snaps, if any.
As Watson’s situation continues to play out, other teams are doing the math and weighing possible moves. The Cleveland Browns, fresh off a trade for Deshaun Watson, have become an alluring potential landing spot for Cousins. Cousins is viewed as an expensive backup on the Atlanta Falcons’ current roster. His immediate future remains in doubt and trade talks surrounding him are picking up steam.
The unforeseen was also evident three years ago when the first-round selection of Kenny Pickett by the Steelers was the first overall pick of the 2022 draft. With none being picked until the third round then, Pickett’s surprise selection became even more significant. He makes his way through the rough waters of the professional football experience and comes with great heart. Clearly, both fans and analysts are watching his development with eagle eyes.
The Rise of Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders’s name is generating buzz as scouts and analysts assess his potential within the league. His omission from that first round raised eyebrows among many, particularly at a time when the talent pool is so deep. Five passers went off the board early. That still leaves Sanders as a very interesting option as teams dive into their long-term QB searches.
As the quarterbacks discourse continues to change, Sanders’s dazzling potential will be pulled under a microscope in the coming months and years. His father, Deion Sanders, has had an outsized role in crafting his career and public perception. As Shedeur walks across the NIL bridge and into professional football, expectations placed upon him are bound to increase.
The interest in Sanders highlights a broader trend within the NFL: teams are increasingly willing to take calculated risks on talented quarterbacks. As franchises look to rebuild or supplement their rosters according to league strategies, players with Sanders’ potential will be invaluable commodities come the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
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