I feel like I've asked this question in one way or another 20 times the past few weeks: why isn't BBI more actively advocating for (or at least considering) Jackson for our selection? The two primary concerns seem to be his passing ability and his durability. Well let's take a look at his college career and those two issues compared to some of the other guys in consideration.
Passing
Jackson: 619 comp., 1086 att., 57% comp., 9043 yds., 8.3 Y/A, 69-27
Darnold: 549 comp., 846 att., 64.9% comp., 7229 yds., 8.5 Y/A, 57-22
Rosen: 711 comp., 1169 att., 60.8% comp., 9301 yds., 8.0 Y/A, 59-26
Allen: 365 comp., 649 att., 56.2% comp., 5066 yds., 7.8 Y/A, 44-21
Where is the big spread here? The narrative has been that Darnold and Rosen are elite passing prospects while Jackson is a runner that will struggle with NFL defenses. I don't see that in the numbers. And I'd add that Jackson enjoyed similar success as a passer while fulfilling a role as a primary runner - which I would think speaks to his ability to function as a passer while taking a physical pounding. Speaking of his role as a runner...
Running
Jackson: 655 carries, 4132 yards, 6.3 Y/A, 50 TD
Barkley: 671 carries, 3843 yards, 5.7 Y/A, 43 TD
Jackson actually outperformed Barkley as a rusher over the course of their college careers - including outrushing him in their sophomore and junior years. Think about that...Barkley is being touted as the next great running back, and Jackson actually has better numbers as a rusher while functioning as his team's passer. I won't post the other QB's rushing stats because other than Allen's sophomore year (142 carries, 523 yards, 3.7 Y/A, 7 TDs) they aren't worth mentioning in comparison.
Durability
Games played/games missed to injury:
Jackson - 38/0
Darnold - 27/0
Rosen - 30/8
Allen - 27/2
If durability is the worry, Jackson played more games than the other guys and missed none while pulling double duty and actually outrushing the best running back prospect on the board. If passing ability is the issue, his passing production stands up to the other guys. The running ability is no contest.
So what am I missing here?
Its a fundamental misunderstanding of both sports statistics and extrapolation.
Despite us disagreeing on virtually everything else, we're in lockstep on Lamar Jackson.
I think he has the ability to be an absolutely lethal player and have been beating that drum for quite a while now.
That being said, his playmaking ability is off the charts...him being another RGIII is what scares the hell out of me. Running is in his DNA and its a huge fundamental shift to the NFL.
The strain of covering/watching all three while staying in ones pass rushing lanes would be difficult on a defense.
A year while ELi plays longer and the OL jells would be a significant learning period
So given promising upside:
Can he pass the same going left as right?
Once he begins to run does he throw first if its available or once he pulls the ball down does he always run?
Does he do well when he is under center?
Those are all habits that are hard to break.
He took off running so often because his line can't block and he was pressured early and often on many of his dropbacks.
Many of his WR's were injured or sucked. The starting RB this year was a converted QB.
The talent around him stunk.
Jackson can, and will stand in the pocket to throw the ball downfield if you protect him.
His toughness is also underrated. I'd like to see him add a little bit to his frame to withstand some hits, but he's a very tough kid.
Brady - slow runner, but doesn't matter since he can move and slide within the pocket
Wilson - runs, but protects his body
Vick - sacrifices his body, runs too often
give me #2 or #3. not a big fan of RPO either, don't want to see the QB getting smacked around.
His performances against the Alabama defense and his leadership qualities had me sold.
But...
All...running...NFL QBs...get....hurt
He's going to be lethal if he finds the right coach.
This is not a guy that just pulls the ball down and runs at the sight of trouble:
Brady - slow runner, but doesn't matter since he can move and slide within the pocket
Wilson - runs, but protects his body
Vick - sacrifices his body, runs too often
give me #2 or #3. not a big fan of RPO either, don't want to see the QB getting smacked around.
Jackson wants to stay in the pocket and pass. He's not looking to run all the time like Griffin or Vick were - but when he does take off, he's absolutely electric.
So, you want to use that part of his game without exposing him to unnecessary risk.
Good coaches will know how to get the most out of Jackson.
This is a better prospect than RG3. I am very confident in that. A much better prospect.
That being said, his playmaking ability is off the charts...him being another RGIII is what scares the hell out of me. Running is in his DNA and its a huge fundamental shift to the NFL.
I’ve watch a lot of Louisville games the last two years and Lamar is a tremendously exciting player. I think he’s basically Michael Vick and the giants could do worse. Is he my first choice, no but I would be happy with him in blue.
No he’s not. He has a cannon for an arm. He will be a QB in the NFL. He and Josh Allen are going to blow up after the combine.
At this point, a trade down, get picks and/or players, scoop up Jackson, wouldn't make me upset.
It would certainly increase the entertainment value of this team because he is a ton of fun to watch. Him, Beckham, Engram are three absolutely LETHAL offensive weapons.
Jackson IS looking to throw the ball.
The runs were either by design or because his line was awful and couldnt hold protections which forced him to bail.
Put a good OL in front of him where he won't get killed and he'll make big time plays.
He's closer to Wilson than Vick. He runs because he has to
Even guys who pass first but run/extend plays consistently get hurt. Rodgers, Ben, Romo
Now look at your pure pocket passers.
Peyton, Eli, Brees, Rivers, Ryan, Brady. These are the guys with the consecutive starts streaks and playing into their 40s.
There are exceptions to every rule but all things equal give me the pocket passer all day.
How many games did Bob Griffin miss due not injury in college? How many running quarterbacks have to be ground up in the NFL before we understand its not sustainable?
At this point, a trade down, get picks and/or players, scoop up Jackson, wouldn't make me upset.
It would certainly increase the entertainment value of this team because he is a ton of fun to watch. Him, Beckham, Engram are three absolutely LETHAL offensive weapons.
The accuracy issues are his big criticism. He also needs to add muscle, but I assume that's less of a concern since he'll be in an NFL weight training and nutrition program.
If the Giants trade out of #2, I don't think they'll take Jackson when they pick in the first round.
How many games did Bob Griffin miss due not injury in college? How many running quarterbacks have to be ground up in the NFL before we understand its not sustainable?
He was at 60% this year - his completion% rose in succession each of the 3 years he played @ LOU
You figure he'd be the 5th QB off the board. 5th qbs don't fall to the top of rd 2 often, but if he does, I'd be ecstatic.
Its a fundamental misunderstanding of both sports statistics and extrapolation.
That was my reaction. It’s weird because GT would probably point out the same thing if a thread was started using college stats about a player he didn’t like.
As for the OP, if we pulled off abbig trade down than I’d be fine rolling the dice on Jackson later in the 1st. But I can’t see taking him at 2 and if I was going to obscure route I’d rather have Mayfield.
Link - ( New Window )
I question his ability to stay healthy at the NFL level with his style and build.
Good deep ball but not an accurate passer.
Doesn’t seem like the sharpest tool in the shed.
With a lot of colleges employing QBs like Jackson someone like him or better should be available every draft.
I do agree that ( as we can see with Eli) accuracy and touch on mid and short passes is a necessity in the NFL
I do agree that ( as we can see with Eli) accuracy and touch on mid and short passes is a necessity in the NFL
I was wondering the same thing.
Despite us disagreeing on virtually everything else, we're in lockstep on Lamar Jackson.
I think he has the ability to be an absolutely lethal player and have been beating that drum for quite a while now.
This, I fell in love with his skills when I saw him single handily demolish Syracuse in 2016
He comes off at least as well as most of us would have in that situation.
Dan Patrick Show - ( New Window )
He sits nicely in the pocket however from what I've seen, just stands back there tall and poised ..
His speed in the open field is incredible but he should slide all the time or else he's toast in the NFL
He's def a top 3 QB this year imo. Darnold , Allen and Jackson