JACKSONVILLE – Tony Pauline likes a lot about this draft class.
One thing the longtime analyst really likes about the 2021 NFL Draft class is good news for the Jaguars, because that thing is the likely No. 1 overall selection.
That's Clemson University quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who Pauline – like pretty much every draft analyst – believes will join the Jaguars soon and who Pauline said is very much deserving of his draft status.
"You're going to have to stretch to manufacture problems in Trevor Lawrence's game," Pauline said. "The Jags are in a good spot. It happens to be a year where not only is the top player selected a quarterback, but he also happens to be the best player in the draft.
"In Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars are getting the best player in the draft at the quarterback position."
Pauline, who has covered the draft since 1997 and who now is the NFL Draft analyst for the Pro Football Network, joined senior writer John Oehser for this week's O-Zone Podcast. Pauline discussed many topics on the podcast, including the strengths of the 2021 draft class.
Pauline, like most analysts, believes that strength is offense – particularly skill players.
"One word: offense; it is an offense-heavy draft," Pauline said. "If you look at the Top 10, you'll have at least nine players from the offensive side of the ball selected. If you look at the first round overall, you may have two thirds of it be offensive players. It's really an offense-driven class."
Pauline cited specific positions such as quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle as the best positions in the draft.
"If you need any of those positions and you're looking for offensive players, this is the year to have a lot of picks," Pauline said.
The Jaguars currently hold 10 selections in the draft, including five in the first three rounds: No. 1 overall, No. 25 (Round 1), No. 33 (Round 2), No. 45 (Round 2) and No. 65 (Round 3).
"This is a good year in the first and second round," Pauline said. "Not only will they (the Jaguars) be able to get good players, they will be able to get good players who can fill needs."
For more of Pauline's conversation on the O-Zone podcast, click here.
