Analyst offers surprising Trevor Lawrence prediction

Some claim the Jacksonville Jaguars overpaid for quarterback Trevor Lawrence after giving him a lucrative extension. However, one analyst believes he'll prove he was worth every penny next season. 

Lawrence recently signed a five-year, $275M deal, making him the highest-paid player in the league, along with Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow. The move was a bit of a surprise, as he seemed to regress last season, and Jacksonville missed the playoffs.

In his top-100 player rankings, CBS Sports' Pete Prisco ranks Lawrence at No. 62. In 2023, he came in at No. 23. Prisco insists the former Pro Bowler will rebound in 2024, though.

"His 2023 season was a disappointment for a lot of reasons, including injury. He threw 21 touchdown passes and 14 picks as he pressed at times," wrote Prisco. "I think he bounces back — with a hefty new contract — and has an MVP-type of season that will vault him up this list."

Last season, Lawrence battled knee, ankle and calf injuries, which possibly affected his play. The 24-year-old passer recently told reporters that he didn't feel "100 percent" until March. 

Oddsmakers believe Lawrence will enter the MVP conversation if he stays healthy. As of Tuesday, FanDuel gives him +2500 odds to win the award along with New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, Los Angeles' Matthew Stafford and Miami's Tua Tagovailoa. 

But has Lawrence, the first overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, proved he's elite? In three seasons, the former Pro Bowler has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 58 TDs, 39 picks and a below-average 85 passer rating. That's a solid resume, yet it doesn't show he should be one of the highest-paid players in the league.  

It's fair to wonder whether he's even the best offensive signal-caller in the AFC South. Texans QB C.J. Stroud won 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, leading Houston to the playoffs. FanDuel gives him the third-best MVP odds (+1000).

Clearly, questions about Lawrence remain. This upcoming season, he needs a stellar showing to quell his skeptics and prove that he deserves his new contract.