PFF Ranks Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence as 18th-Best Player Under 25

Despite the seemingly low ranking, Lawrence is still ranked as the top quarterback under 25.

It is hard to make a case against Trevor Lawrence as the best young gun in the NFL.

There are other talented young quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow, but Lawrence is entering 2023 as the youngest of the group. 

Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema recently ranked the 25 best players under 25, with Lawrence, 23, ranked as the only quarterback -- albeit placed at No. 18 overall.

"Lawrence struggled during his rookie season, earning a 58.3 passing grade. But this past year (with an established NFL head coach), he jumped to a 74.1 passing grade. He finished with 26 big-time throws, 19 turnover-worth plays and a 77.7% adjusted completion percentage. It was a step in the right direction, one that allowed his arrow to continue pointing up with improvement still possible in all areas," Sikkema said.

It is tough to argue against Lawrence as the top quarterback; his only competition, due to his age, would be quarterbacks selected in the last three drafts, and none of Mac Jones, Trey Lance, Zach Wilson or Desmond Ridder can say they have done enough to earn the same spot as Lawrence, while Kenny Pickett will be 25 in June. 

There is the most recent group of quarterback draft picks, though Lawrence is ahead of each of them as well due to their lack of experience. Will Levis turns 24 in June, while Bryce Young will turn 22 in July, C.J Stroud will turn 22 in October, and Anthony Richardson turned 20 in May.

In 17 starts in 2022, Lawrence completed 387 of 584 passes for 4,113 yards and 25 TDs. His 387 completions were the most in a single season in franchise history and his five rushing TDs were tied with Garrard for the most in single-season franchise history.

Lawrence joined Bengals QB Joe Burrow and Bills QB Josh Allen as the only players in the NFL with 25-plus passing TDs and at least five rushing TDs. Against the Titans in Week 14, Lawrence set a career-high with 368 yards passing and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

The second-year quarterback totaled four 300-yard passing games and orchestrated three comebacks of 17-plus points, including a comeback from behind 27-0 in the postseason against the Chargers.

"Trevor is in a good place right now. We've got to continue to grow him, keep him coming in the right direction," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after April's draft.

"He took a big, big step forward this past year. The opportunity is right for him and our football team at this time. That's what we're focused on. We're focused on getting better for '23. We finished the season last year good, but not where we want to be. That's got to be our motivation as we prepare for this year."