Why would the Jaguars get the first pick instead of the Jets?
By John Buhler
The Jacksonville Jaguars own the tiebreaker over the New York Jets for the No. 1 overall pick.
With the New York Jets getting their first win of the season by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 23-20 in Week 15, Gang Green has relinquished the right to select Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With Jacksonville getting crushed in the early window by the Baltimore Ravens to the tune of 40-14, the Jaguars and the Jets have identical records of atrocity at a deplorable 1-13. Interestingly enough, both rancid AFC teams have somehow lost 13 games in a row at one point in the season. Jacksonville won its season opener over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. They would pick first.
So how does Jacksonville own the tiebreaker over New York for the No. 1 pick?
Because the Jaguars and Jets will not meet on the gridiron this year, the next tie-breaking method would be strength of schedule. Through Week 14, the Jets have played the second toughest schedule in football with an opponents’ combined winning percentage of .595. Jacksonville’s opponents have been considerably easier at a combined winning percentage of .554.
Simply put, if the Jaguars lose their final two games to the Chicago Bears and the Colts and the Jets lose their final two games to the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots, Jacksonville would end up with the No. 1 overall pick over the Jets. The only way the Jets take back control of first place is if Gang Green loses out and Jacksonville wins one of their final two games.
Next. Carson Wentz is done with Eagles after 2020. dark
Jacksonville was going to take a quarterback with its certain top-two pick, regardless of it was Lawrence out of Clemson or Justin Fields out of Ohio State. Both grew up in the southeast and would play very well in the major college football market that is Jacksonville, Florida. As for New York, the Jets drafted Sam Darnold No. 3 overall out of USC back in 2018. He is still an option.
Look for Lawrence to bring his flowing blonde locks to the Banks of the St. Johns River in Duval.