Jaguars Draft Georgia CB Tyson Campbell At No. 33
The Jaguars kicked off the second round by drafting cornerback Tyson Campbell from Georgia.
After taking Clemson stars Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne on Day 1, the Jaguars entered Round 2 with cornerback, offensive line, defensive line, and tight end as their most pressing needs. They opted to bolster the secondary. Campbell will now join a very young cornerback group in Jacksonville that has a lot of potential. The Jags just drafted C.J. Henderson ninth overall last year.
Just a few short years ago the Jaguars had a dynamic cornerback duo with Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, and they’re looking to rebuild that. They also signed Shaquill Griffin away from the Seahawks with a big contract in free agency, so the position has the chance to soon be a strength again.
Plenty of people thought Campbell would go in the first-round, and NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah had him going 28th to the Saints in his final mock draft. Campbell became a starter as a true freshman at Georgia, and is seen as having strong physical tools. He had 20 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, an interception, and five passes defended in ten games last year.
Jets Receiving Interest For No. 34 Pick
The Jets added two presumptive starters in Round 1, drafting Zach Wilson and trading up for Alijah Vera-Tucker. They have a prime opportunity to add a third 2021 first-stringer to this mix at No. 34 overall.
However, significant interest has developed for that selection, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The Jets will be tempted to move down and accumulate additional draft choices, a prospect the team is considering, per ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini (on Twitter).
The Jaguars hold the No. 33 pick and are not expected to trade out of that position, Rapoport adds, giving the Jets some additional leverage at 34. The Jets have two third-round picks — Nos. 66 and 86, the latter choice coming in last year’s Jamal Adams trade — and certainly have needs additional selections would help them address.
Teams at the top of Round 2 have the luxury of taking calls to move down, with other franchises interested in players who unexpectedly were not chosen in Round 1. Players like linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, safety Trevon Moehrig and wide receiver Elijah Moore each ranked in Scouts Inc.’s top 25 players; Owusu-Koramoah resided as a top-15 player going into the draft. They figure to be off the board early tonight, and the Jets may opt to benefit from other teams’ interest.
Jaguars Select Clemson RB Travis Etienne
First-overall pick Trevor Lawrence will be joining the Jaguars alongside a familiar face. With the No. 25 pick, Jacksonville selected Clemson running back Travis Etienne.
Etienne was considered perhaps last year’s top prospect, but the Clemson back made the rare (for running backs) decision to return for his senior season. His yards-per-carry figure dropped from 7.8 to 5.4 last year, perhaps hurting his draft stock a bit. Still, teams were plenty aware of the prospect’s two 1,600-yard seasons and 70 career rushing TDs. Ultimately, Etienne’s “down” season resulted in him competing with Alabama’s Najee Harris (and potentially North Carolina’s Javonte Williams) for the right to be the first running back off the board. Harris ultimately earned that honor, but Etienne wasn’t very far behind.
Teams were clearly still high on Etienne despite the reduced numbers. According to some scouts, Etienne showed improvements in other parts of the game, including receiving and pass blocking. At 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds, the rookie has the strength, speed, versatility, and elusiveness to become a three-down back.
Will he have that opportunity in Jacksonville? While he’ll have the support of his quarterback, it may be tough for Etienne to become the bona fide starter. 2020 undrafted rookie James Robinson had an incredible season, finishing with more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns. Robinson profiles as a more of a bruiser, while Etienne (and his 48 receptions from 2020) could be relegated to a pass-catching role.
Jaguars Draft Trevor Lawrence No. 1 Overall
No surprise here. With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jaguars selected Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. 
Typically, teams like to manufacture some mystery with the top overall pick. That wasn’t the case here. New head coach Urban Meyer openly professed his love for Lawrence months ago, all but cementing his arrival in Jacksonville.
“I’d have to say that’s the direction we’re going. I’ll leave that up to the owner when we make that decision official. But I’m certainly not stepping out of line that that’s certainly the direction we’re headed,” Meyer said in March. “Trevor checks all the boxes, you know?”
“The number one common quality of every great player, not just quarterback, is competitive maniac. He’s 34-2. Won a national title as a true freshman. Is a winner. I’ve seen him up close and in person compete. And then character. I see him and I witness with my players, when the guys get drafted high, a lot of people get . . . They have influences in their live. Like, whether it be social media, whether it be other things that really don’t pertain to winning.”
Lawrence was predictably brilliant at his pro day, leaving no doubt for Meyer, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, passing-game coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, and the rest of the Jaguars’ contingent.
In his final season at Clemson, Lawrence threw for 3,153 yards with 24 touchdowns and five interceptions. And, with 69.2% of his passes completed, he finished as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, despite losing time to injury.
Now, it’s on to the Jets, who fell just short in their #TankforTrevor pursuit.
2022 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 3 to officially pick up their options on 2018 first-rounders who are entering the final year of their rookie deals. In a change from years past, fifth-year option seasons are fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement, and specific performance metrics:
- 2-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternate Pro Bowlers) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag.
- 1-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag.
- Players who achieve any of the following will get the average of the 3rd-20th highest salaries at their position:
- 75%+ snaps in two of their first three seasons
- 75%+ average across all three seasons
- 50%+ in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will get the average of the 3rd-25th top salaries at their position.
With the deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:
Updated 4-30-21, 4:24pm CT
- QB Baker Mayfield, Browns: Exercised ($18.858MM)
- RB Saquon Barkley, Giants: Exercised ($7.217MM)
- QB Sam Darnold, Panthers (via Jets): Pending ($18.858MM)
- CB Denzel Ward, Browns — Exercised ($13.294MM)
- LB Bradley Chubb, Broncos — Pending ($12.716MM)
- G Quenton Nelson, Colts — Pending ($13.754MM)
- QB Josh Allen, Bills: Pending ($23.106MM)
- LB Roquan Smith, Bears: Exercised ($9.735MM)
- OT Mike McGlinchey, 49ers: Exercised ($10.88MM)
- QB Josh Rosen, Cardinals: N/A
- S Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers (via Dolphins): Exercised ($10.612MM)
- DT Vita Vea, Buccaneers: Exercised ($7.638MM)
- DT Daron Payne, Washington — Exercised ($8.529MM)
- DE Marcus Davenport, Saints: Exercised ($9.553MM)
- OT Kolton Miller, Raiders — N/A (extension)
- LB Tremaine Edmunds, Bills: Pending ($12.716MM)
- S Derwin James, Chargers: Exercised ($9.052MM)
- CB Jaire Alexander, Packers: Exercised ($13.294MM)
- LB Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys: Pending ($9.145MM)
- C Frank Ragnow, Lions: Exercised ($12.657MM)
- C Billy Price, Bengals: Declined ($10.413MM)
- LB Rashaan Evans, Titans: Pending ($9.735MM)
- OT Isaiah Wynn, Patriots: Pending ($10.413 MM)
- WR D.J. Moore, Panthers: Exercised ($11.116MM)
- TE Hayden Hurst, Falcons (via Ravens): Pending ($5.428MM)
- WR Calvin Ridley, Falcons: Pending ($11.116MM)
- RB Rashaad Penny, Seahawks: Pending ($4.523MM)
- S Terrell Edmunds, Steelers: Pending ($6.753MM)
- DT Taven Bryan, Jaguars: Pending ($7.638MM)
- CB Mike Hughes, Vikings: Pending ($12.643MM)
- RB Sony Michel, Patriots: Pending ($4.523MM)
- QB Lamar Jackson, Ravens: Exercised ($23.106MM)
2021 NFL Draft: Team By Team
The 2021 NFL Draft has arrived! Soon, picks will soon be swapped and shuffled at lightning speed. But, before the trading frenzy starts, here’s a look at the draft picks owned by each team:
[RELATED: 2021 NFL Draft Order By Round]
Arizona Cardinals – Picks: 6
Round 1: No. 16 overall
Round 2: No. 49
Round 5: No. 160
Round 6: No. 223 (from Vikings)
Round 7: Nos. 243, 247 (from Bears through Raiders)
Atlanta Falcons — Picks: 9
Round 1: No. 4 overall
Round 2: No. 35
Round 3: No. 68
Round 4: No. 108
Round 5: Nos. 148, 182, 183
Round 6: Nos. 187, 219
Baltimore Ravens – Picks: 10
Round 1: Nos. 27, 31 (from Chiefs) overall
Round 2: No. 58
Round 3: Nos. 94 (from Chiefs), 104
Round 4: Nos. 131, 136 (from Chiefs)
Round 5: Nos. 171, 184
Round 6: No. 210
Buffalo Bills — Picks: 7
Round 1: No. 30 overall
Round 2: No. 61
Round 3: No. 93
Round 5: Nos. 161 (from Raiders), 174
Round 6: No. 213
Round 7: No. 236 (from Panthers)
Carolina Panthers — Picks: 8
Round 1: No. 8 overall
Round 2: No. 39
Round 3: No. 73
Round 4: No. 113
Round 5: No. 151
Round 6: Nos. 191 (from Broncos), 193, 222
Chicago Bears — Picks: 8
Round 1: No. 20 overall
Round 2: No. 52
Round 3: No. 83
Round 5: No. 164
Round 6: Nos. 204, 208 (from Seahawks through Dolphins), 221, 228
Cincinnati Bengals — Picks: 8
Round 1: No. 5 overall
Round 2: No. 38
Round 3: No. 69
Round 4: No. 111
Round 5: No. 149
Round 6: No. 190
Round 7: Nos. 202 (from Dolphins through Texans), 235 (from Lions through Seahawks)
Latest On Jaguars’ Draft Plans (Outside Of No. 1)
Much has been made of the Jaguars’ first-overall selection in Thursday’s draft, but NFL Network’s James Palmer provided some insight on the team’s plans with their other nine selections (Twitter link).
Besides the No. 1 pick, the Jaguars are also armed with four more picks through the first three rounds of the draft:
- No. 25
- No. 33
- No. 45
- No. 65
Palmer notes that the Jaguars are hoping for “immediate impact players” with each of those four aforementioned selections. While their draft ammo (which includes two more fourth-rounders, two more fifth-rounders, and one seventh-rounder) would seemingly provide them with opportunities to move up in pursuit of those impact players, Palmer reports that that likely won’t be the case. Instead of trading up, the Jaguars are more likely to keep each of these selections, and they could even move back and pick up more middle-round picks.
The front office can check one ‘need’ off the list when they select quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first-overall pick, but what other positions will they be looking at in the draft? Despite the fact that the team addressed their defensive line needs in free agency, Palmer points to defensive linemen as potential targets. Further, while the organization is a fan of their starting offensive linemen, that’s another spot the Jaguars could use an early-round pick on. Tight end is another position of need, but Palmer said the team is wary of reaching for any particular player.
Updated 2021 NFL Draft Order: Round 1
The Ravens sent Orlando Brown to the Chiefs on Friday, shuffling the first-round order of the NFL Draft once again. Now, the Ravens are one of four teams to hold multiple first-round picks, joining the Jaguars (Nos. 1 and 25), Jets (Nos. 2 and 23), and Dolphins (Nos. 6 and 18). In turn, Chiefs no longer have a top-32 choice, joining the Seahawks, Texans, and Rams.
As we look ahead to Thursday, here’s how the first round currently stands:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. New York Jets
3. San Francisco 49ers (from HOU via MIA)
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Cincinnati Bengals
6. Miami Dolphins (from PHI)
7. Detroit Lions
8. Carolina Panthers
9. Denver Broncos
10. Dallas Cowboys
11. New York Giants
12. Philadelphia Eagles (from SF via MIA)
13. Los Angeles Chargers
14. Minnesota Vikings
15. New England Patriots
16. Arizona Cardinals
17. Las Vegas Raiders
18. Miami Dolphins
19. Washington Football Team
20. Chicago Bears
21. Indianapolis Colts
22. Tennessee Titans
23. New York Jets (from SEA)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)
26. Cleveland Browns
27. Baltimore Ravens
28. New Orleans Saints
29. Green Bay Packers
30. Buffalo Bills
31. Baltimore Ravens (from KC)
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jaguars Fielded Calls On No. 1 Pick
Despite being penciled into 2021’s No. 1 overall draft slot for multiple offseasons now, Trevor Lawrence has not hovered at the center of this year’s pre-draft discussions. It is widely assumed he will become a Jaguar next week.
Still, the Jags have received inquiries on the No. 1 pick, GM Trent Baalke said Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, Jacksonville does not plan to trade this valuable selection.
“We’ve fielded a couple of calls, but I think we’re going to hold tight,” Baalke said, via James Palmer of NFL.com (on Twitter). “Again that decision is made organizationally and our ownership is involved with that as well.”
[RELATED: No Offers For Jets’ No. 2 Pick]
A 15-game losing streak secured the Jaguars the rights to Lawrence, who is viewed as the best quarterback prospect since at least Andrew Luck nine years ago. Urban Meyer confirmed the team is headed toward a Lawrence pick, and the team has peppered the Clemson-developed prodigy with playbook intel thus far. Meyer also helped Lawrence structure his pro day. This evidently did not stop teams from checking in here.
While the Jaguars could have certainly fetched a staggering trade package for this pick, both they and the Jets are poised to stay at their top slots and draft QBs. Although the Jags have made a stunning 18 top-10 picks in just 26 drafts, this marks the first time they have held the No. 1 overall choice. The intrigue of this year’s draft is not slated to commence until the 49ers pick at No. 3.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/19/21
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Re-signed: C Trystan Colon-Castillo (ERFA), LB Kristian Welch (ERFA)
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on reserve-retired list: LB Jordan Mack; Mack opted out of the 2020 season
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: OT Matt Nelson (ERFA)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Re-signed: RB Dare Ogunbowale (ERFA)
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: DB Tyrique McGhee; McGhee received a five-game PED suspension earlier this month
New York Giants
- Re-signed: RB Sandro Platzgummer
New York Jets
- Re-signed: TE Daniel Brown, WR Jeff Smith (ERFA)
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: NT Bryan Mone