4 Dumbest Lamar Jackson Hot Takes From 2018 NFL Draft
By Jerry Trotta
At this point, there's no denying that Lamar Jackson is an NFL superstar. The sophomore signal caller has led the Baltimore Ravens to a 9-2 record, a mark good enough for the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
After Monday night's blowout victory over the Rams, Jackson is now completing 66.7% of his passes for 2,427 yards, 24 touchdowns, and five interceptions, adding 876 yards (on five yards per tote) and six scores on the ground.
In honor of the former No.32 overall pick taking the NFL by storm, let's highlight some of the most dim-witted takes on Jackson from the 2018 Draft.
4. NFL Defenders Are Too Fast for Him to Rely on His Legs
HA! Jackson is cooking up more crow by the game as he continues to cook NFL defenses with his legs. He's on pace to shatter Michael Vick's single season record for rushing yards by a quarterback! Until defenses prove that they can slow him down, we'll continue to laugh at the folks who said that Jackson's otherworldly speed and elusiveness wouldn't translate to the NFL because defenders at the pro level are just as fast. Enjoy Josh Rosen!
"Arizona got a kid as good as Josh Rosen at No. 10 and the New York Jets got the best quarterback at No. 3. They won the Draft." — @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/GyvxSESFWd
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 30, 2018
3. His Throwing Mechanics Will Never Translate
There seriously shouldn't be an NFL player enjoying his time on the gridiron more than Jackson. Imagine getting the opportunity to prove countless individuals wrong on a national stage on a weekly basis? Continue to doubt him, folks, and eggs will keep cracking on your face. Jackson is completing nearly 70% of his passes this season and showed skeptics that he is more than capable of preventing turnovers, logging just eight interceptions in 27 career games.
My brief take on the 2018 NFL Draft QB class:
— Scott Wright (@DraftCountdown) February 22, 2018
Tier 1: Sam Darnold
Tier 2: Josh Rosen
Tier 3: Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson
Tier 4: Mason Rudolph
Tier 5: Dealer’s Choice
2. His 5.91 Prospect Grade
That figure comes from NFL.com and it is utterly indefensible. Per the website, players ranked in between the 5.50-5.99 figure have a chance to become a starter in the league. The other quarterbacks ranked ahead of him? Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Rosen. Go around the league and tell us how many teams would prefer Jackson to their current starting quarterback. It's most teams! NFL.com was woefully errant on this one. And speaking of errant...
There really is a God pic.twitter.com/hmvuYOtazJ
— Mark Powell (@jim_joyce_hater) November 26, 2019
1. He Should Convert to a Wide Receiver
Ta-da! Ahead of the draft, a multitude of reports dropped which indicated that several teams wanted the Louisville superstar to work out as a wide receiver because they doubted his potential as an NFL gunslinger. Jackson was so enraged by the request that he savagely backed out of the 40-yard dash. How has he responded since? Ranking tied for first in touchdown passes (24) and third in passer rating (111.4) in 2019. Sit down, Bill Polian.