Barton's Best Bet: Lawrence Over 3,700 Passing Yards

Trevor Lawrence's passing-yardage total is this week's focus of Barton's Best Bet, as South Shore Press Sports Director Tom Barton joined South Shore Press Managing Editor Stefan Mychajliw to explain why he believes the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback is one of the best betting values heading into the NFL season.

Stefan Mychajliw: It's time for Barton's Best Bet. Tom, we're looking toward the NFL and a team the Buffalo Bills beat in the playoffs last year. What's your best bet this week?

Tom Barton: I'm taking Trevor Lawrence to go over 3,700 passing yards. I don't understand why sportsbooks set the number that low. This is Year 2 in Liam Coen's offense, and that's a big advantage.

Mychajliw: Why are you so confident?

Barton: Last season, Lawrence threw for more than 4,000 yards despite injuries and a changing group of receivers. When he's healthy, he's consistently around the 4,000-yard mark. I think 3,700 is a gift.

Mychajliw: I'm a Bills fan, so I'm not exactly cheering for Trevor Lawrence. But he's a talented quarterback, isn't he?

Barton: Absolutely. As a prospect, I ranked him with John Elway and Andrew Luck. Scouts called him a generational talent. He just hasn't had stability with coaches or coordinators. Now, for the first time, he has continuity.

Mychajliw: Is this similar to Baker Mayfield finally finding the right coaching situation?

Barton: That's a fair comparison. Baker found stability and took off. Lawrence now has the same opportunity. The difference is expectations. People believed Trevor Lawrence could become one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks. Even if he doesn't reach that ceiling this season, his recent production says he'll clear 3,700 passing yards. I think this is one of the strongest NFL futures bets on the board, and I'd grab it before that number moves.