The Jacksonville Jaguars have long ranked as a perennial bottom feeder in the NFL, kings of the “under” props. However, in the National Football League, one transcended quarterback can turn it all around. Wunderkin and football poster boy, Trevor Lawrence rolls into town with big expectations and an even bigger challenge: turning the Jaguars into winners.
Along with a new big man on campus, the Jaguars tapped college head coaching legend Urban Meyers to complete the turnaround. We’ll see if the recent trend of college head coaches succeeding at the next level continues in Jacksonville. Here are all things gambling on the Jaguars.
Prodigy Or False Prophet?
Obviously, all signs point to Trevor Lawrence becoming the supernatural quarterback we expected when he first blew minds as a freshman at Clemson. His combination of size, speed, accuracy, and arm strength check all the boxes as a potential franchise QB. Only two questions remain unanswered: how long will it take for him to adjust to the NFL and for the Jaguars to put a quality squad around him?
Trevor Lawrence Props
It’s clear the sportsbooks expect big things from Lawrence. DraftKings put his chances to break the rookie record for BOTH passing yards (4375) and touchdowns (32) at +1000. Those are high bars to clear but also pretty great odds. His odds to throw for 25+ TDs and 15+ interception (+350) also look pretty tasty.
As for O/Us, BetRivers sets his numbers at 4150.5 passing yards (-112) and total passing touchdowns 24.5 (O -125 U +100). Yards will likely be easier to come by than touchdowns as we can expect for the Jaguars to be behind more often than not.
The Clemson QB also easily became the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year according to FanDuel at +270. His major competition will likely come from his fellow rookie QBs, Justin Fields (+550), Zach Wilson (+700), and Trey Lance (+1000). Thanks to their situations you have to like Lawrence’s chances. Parlaying his award chances with his over on yards yields some nice odds.
Skill Positions
If Lawrence fulfills expectations as the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck, he’ll have to make use of some fairly exciting skill players around him. The Jags went against the grain and drafted Travis Etienne in the first round. He’s been taking snaps at wide receiver and they’ll have to use him all over the field to fully cash in on that high draft pick.
Along with James Robinson, Jacksonville has surrounded Lawrence with a versatile and explosive backfield. DraftKings set the combined rushing yards for Lawrence, Etienne, and Robinson at 1749.5 (+150). Last season Robinson ran for 1,070 on his own!
Team Outlook
Despite only winning a single game last season, the Jags received the 18th most difficult schedule. It’s clearly not a murderer’s row but also not as much of a cakewalk as you’d like if you’re feeling bullish on Jacksonville. BetMGM put their O/U at 6.5 (-110) and their “make the playoffs” odds at YES (+350) and NO (-450).
Many people are comparing this Jacksonville team to the Indianapolis team that Andrew Luck took to the playoffs after a 1-15 season. However, that 1-15 Indianapolis squad was set to be pretty good until Peyton Manning’s neck went. This Jacksonville team was atrocious last year even with a serviceable QB Gardner Minshew. An over on wins and a no for playoffs seem like pretty safe bets.