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2021 NFL draft: 3 Early Candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year

By Michael Hanich

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers looks on prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the LSU Tigers at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers looks on prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the LSU Tigers at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft was offensively favored as teams were desperate to address their passing game with quarterbacks and wide receivers as well as pass protection with tackles. The first seven picks of the first round were on the offensive side of the ball including the first three picks being at the quarterback position.

There were 18 offensive players that were selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. These are players that either will immediately make a significant contribution or will need time to develop during training camps to start in the middle of the 2021 NFL season. Most of the teams that traded up in the draft were looking for an offensive player.

Look for these newly drafted players to not only impact an impact immediately on the field but also at a Pro Bowl-caliber level. Here are the three early candidates for the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie to the Year.

Trevor Lawrence (Quarterback) – Jacksonville Jaguars

This has been the pick for three years in the making. The Jacksonville Jaguars were lucky enough to have the New York Jets incidentally win more than one game. Now the Jaguars have a chance to rely on the most pro-ready and established quarterback since Andrew Luck in 2012.

The Jaguars have never had an NFL offensive or defensive rookie of the year selection in franchise history. Lawrence is their chance to completely start over as he is their first overall pick in franchise history. He is also the first quarterback taken by them in the first round and since Blake Bortles in 2014.

Lawrence will be given a large amount of control for the Jaguars as they completely trust him already. They drafted his Clemson Tiger teammate in running back Travis Etienne with the 25th overall pick in the first round. With the glory of being the first overall pick comes the heavy pressure of trying to turn this offense around. Last season, the Jaguars’ offense ranked 30th in the league in points per game (19.1) and 28th in total yards per game (326.1).

The Jaguars have already made attempts of building a sustainable offense around Lawrence. With the past talent they have already acquired on the offensive side of the ball through the Draft or free agency, Lawrence might have a chance to look good in his first couple of games in 2021.

There will be a ton of attention on Lawrence but he has shown to prove his worth to be one of the top players in College Football. Now he will attempt to do the same in a more difficult league.

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