Betsided

The Mac Jones-Trevor Lawrence Battle is Already Heating Up

By Peter Dewey

Trevor Lawrence is looking to prove he's the top rookie quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence is looking to prove he's the top rookie quarterback. / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

Mac Jones and Trevor Lawrence are going to be intertwined all season long, as WynnBET has the two rookie quarterbacks atop the odds list to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

Lawrence (+275) was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, while Jones (+300) was taken with the 15th pick by the New England Patriots. 

However, Jones, not Lawrence, is the favorite to lead this year’s class of rookie quarterbacks in passing yards. 

Rookies: Most Regular Season Passing Yards

  • Mac Jones: +170
  • Trevor Lawrence: +175
  • Zach Wilson: +250
  • Trey Lance: +1500
  • Justin Fields: +2000

Jones may have the season-long advantage in the eyes of oddsmakers, but Lawrence (+155) is favored to lead Jones and Wilson in passing yardage in Week 1. Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars will face the lowly Houston Texans in their season opener. 

Jones will face a much tougher defense in the Miami Dolphins in the season opener, as Miami led the NFL in interceptions last season. Still, it’s curious that Jones is favored over the top pick to lead all rookies in passing.

The Patriots used a run-heavy offense with Cam Newton under center in 2020, but it’s possible Bill Belichick returns to more of the scheme he ran when Tom Brady was in town (wow, that seems like years ago already) now that Jones is his quarterback. 

Both teams upgraded their receiving core this offseason, with the Jaguars signing Marvin Jones Jr. and the Patriots adding Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to its skill group. 

Jones and Lawrence will both have a long leash as first-round picks, but it feels like the hype around Jones from the preseason and taking Newton’s job has propelled him to the top of the odds list. 

Lawrence is a generational talent, or so we’ve been told, and I’ll be backing him to be this draft class’ top passer until Jones starts carving up first-team defenses in the regular season.

Who will have the better season: Trevor Lawrence or Mac Jones? Download the WynnBET app to make your pick.

Home/NFL Odds