2018 NFL Draft Profiles: Lamar Jackson
- Tyler Webb
- Jun 23, 2017
- 2 min read
Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Louisville
6’3, 203 Lbs, Junior, 4.35 40 Yard
Without a doubt, Lamar Jackson is the biggest question mark in the 2018 draft class. He is one giant highlight reel, and carried a Louisville offensively like I have never seen before. Last season Lamar Jackson could have been in heisman talks as a running back, and when you add the 3,500 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns and that just made it a cakewalk for him. Jackson wasn’t highly coveted coming out of Bayton Beach High School. 247Sports.com ranked Lamar as a 3 star prospect and the 16th rated dual threat quarterback in his class. For the 16 games Lamar Jackson played in (2 seasons) he accumulated over 2,200 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, 1,600 rushing yards, and 22 rushing touchdowns. As a freshman at Louisville, Jackson walked onto the scene to replace former Louisville quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. He threw for only 1,840 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air, but managed to also rush for an extra 960 and another 11 touchdowns and finished 8-5. In the 2016 season Lamar Jackson turned into an alien
As most mobile quarterbacks seem to be, Jackson isn’t the most polished passer in this class. Jackson for sure needs to improve his mechanics in his throwing style, and improve his footwork in the pocket before he can succeed in the NFL.His throwing style is very loose, and has a pretty slow release. Lamar Jackson plays most his snaps in pistol/shotgun, but can go under center and drop back. Personally I believe his offensive line isn’t good enough to protect him under center, and that is why he doesn’t do that often. The biggest strength Jackson possesses is his ability to make the positive play. Always being able to not take negative yards, even if it is just getting back to the line of scrimmage, gives your offense the best chance to get to the end zone. He is such an elusive runner, and has 4.3 speed. If Jackson can improve like he did from his freshman year, to sophomore year, he might be finishing the season as the number one quarterback in the 2018 class.
Possible Landing Spots: 5th-26th
Arizona Cardinals - A read option with David Johnson and Lamar Jackson is all you need to be a successful offense in the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Blake Bortles has one left to prove he is the quarterback the Jaguars need, and if he fails to do so they will need to replace him ASAP. Jackson is a Florida native, and could be very special next to Fournette. Pittsburgh Steelers - If Jackson can slip on draft night, I find it hard for the Steelers to ignore a Bell and Jackson combination. He could sit behind Big Ben for a season, and develop his mechanics as a quarterback.
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