New Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer just about confirmed the worst-kept secret in the NFL: His team is likely to select Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft next month.
“I’d have to say that’s the direction we’re going,” Meyer told NBC Sports. “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.”
Lawrence, who led Clemson to the national championship following his freshman season in 2018, won’t be in attendance at the draft, to be held in Cleveland beginning April 29. ESPN reported Monday that Lawrence will watch the draft at Clemson with family members and close friends.
He is third all-time on the school’s passing list in passing yards with 10,098 and second in touchdown passes with 90.
The Jaguars were 21st in the NFL in passing last season with 3,699 yards behind the trio of Gardner Minshew, Jake Luton and Mike Glennon.
Jacksonville has been searching for a franchise quarterback since the departure of Mark Brunell after the 2003 season. Since then, they have taken three quarterbacks in the first round: Byron Leftwich (No. 7 overall in 2003); Blaine Gabbert (No. 10 in 2011); and Blake Bortles (No. 3 in 2014).
Lawrence is recovering from surgery in February to repair the labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder but is expected at training camp.
