Brett Favre is a Hall of Fame quarterback, so he knows a thing or two about game-changing signal-callers.
But it seems the former Packers and Vikings great has undervalued the guy who should be the No. 1 overall player taken in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Favre, in a Saturday interview with TMZ, suggested the Jaguars forgo drafting Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the top overall pick. Yes, that Trevor Lawrence — the same Trevor Lawrence who has been a lock for the top player of his draft class at least since he was a freshman in 2018 (and perhaps dating back to his senior year of high school).
“I have seen (Lawrence) play. And I think he’s really good,” Favre told TMZ. “I don’t know if Jacksonville, in my opinion, I don’t know if quarterback is their immediate need — probably a lot of needs that they have.”
NFL MOCK DRAFT 2021: Lawrence goes No. 1, followed by Smith
So who, then, does Favre suggest they take?
“I would take (Alabama receiver) DeVonta Smith,” he said. “The last two games I’ve watched this guy play, I mean, I’m blown away with how good — knowing that teams know that he’s going to get the ball — and he dominates. I think you go with a guy like that.”
That’s certainly one way the Jags could approach the draft.
It’s true that Smith is one of the top players of this class: He earned the single-most decorated season ever for a receiver in 2020, catching 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, all in 13 games. But his size (he’s listed at 6-1, 175 pounds) has led many analysts to question exactly how high he should be selected. Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer projects the Jets to take him at No. 2 overall, but mock drafts from other outlets have also considered LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase the top player available at the position.
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Favre is also right inasmuch Jacksonville has more than one team need. But none of the guys on Jacksonville’s roster — Gardner Minshew, Jake Luton or Mike Glennon — can measure up to Lawrence, who is grouped alongside Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck as the best quarterback prospects since John Elway. At 6-6, 220 pounds, Lawrence’s is a scintillating blend of measurables, arm strength, athleticism and football acuity.
Favre has an answer for that, too:
“Nothing against Trevor Lawrence, but I think you can find a free agent guy, or a guy in the latter rounds or a mid-rounds in the draft,” he said. “But you just don’t find a guy like a … (Smith) could be a Jerry Rice. He could be — different — but a Randy Moss. A total game-changer. But again, a different style of player. Just an incredible player.”
Again: What NFL executive would risk passing up Lawrence for a middle-of-the-road quarterback? And while it’s true Smith may end up being the next Rice or Moss, conventional wisdom says to go for the guy who could be the next Elway.