Trevor Lawrence is amazing, but he’s not perfect, says former NFL quarterback

Dan Orlovsky has a few major critiques with Trevor Lawrence’s game.

Trevor Lawrence will be the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but he’s not a perfect prospect.

On Wednesday’s edition of NFL Live on ESPN, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky revealed some major criticisms about Lawrence’s game. It may not seem like much, but every little thing a top prospect like Lawrence does will be dissected until he’s drafted by an NFL franchise in the spring. Here is what Orlovsky had to say about what Lawrence has to work on.

“Anticipation throws and getting the ball out of his hands before receivers are opened,” said Orlovsky. “It’s not necessarily demanded of him too much in that Clemson offense, but you want to see him develop that and grow that. He’s a kid still. This is a true sophomore running this offense and he’s had tremendous success.

“Here’s the thing: He’s very much Andrew Luck and maybe Matthew Stafford. I would say both of those guys are so physically talented that you don’t necessarily have to learn at a young age how to anticipate your throws because you’re so good.

“The arm is so good that I don’t need to. I can wait to see if you’re open and I’m strong enough, accurate enough to put it in place where I need to be. That’s different in the NFL. He will need to learn how to get that into his game.”

Dan Orlovsky’s criticism of Trevor Lawrence is a bit harsh, but fair.

Orlovsky comparing Lawrence to two other former No. 1 overall picks in Matthew Stafford and Andrew Luck feels spot-on. There were no throws in college that Stafford and Luck couldn’t make. Stafford’s howitzer of a right arm remains among the best in the NFL a decade after he last played for the Georgia Bulldogs. Luck could really spin it when he starred for the Indianapolis Colts.

The big thing Orlovsky is getting at is any NFL secondary will be lightyears better than the best secondary he’ll go up against in ACC play. Though it’s not his fault, Lawrence has relied on arm talent more than he probably wants to admit. He does have a cannon, but the reason he’ll go No. 1 is his size, durability, mobility and undeniable leadership traits. He does need refinement, though.

Lawrence will occasionally let the ball sail on him. His touch does come and go, as he will throw interceptions. Doesn’t that sound an awful lot like Stafford or Luck coming out of college or what? Lawrence may not become the most accurate passer of his generation, but he has superstar written all over him as the next face of the NFL. Whoever drafts him will have won the lottery.

If Lawrence becomes a more precise passer, he could become the NFL’s next John Elway.

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