Louisville Football: Who Lands Lamar Jackson?

Former Louisville football star Lamar Jackson is easily the most electrifying NFL prospect in at least three decades. Let’s look at some of the teams that could be a good fit for the former Heisman Trophy winner.

The 2018 NFL Draft begins in just over a week, and Lamar Jackson looks to add his name to the list of former Louisville football first round draft picks.

According to most of the draft “experts,” it’s very likely that will become a reality. Most everyone has Lamar somewhere in the mid-to-late first round. As much as I’d love to see Lamar’s name called first by the Cleveland Browns, that’s probably not the best situation for him (just ask the other 28 QB’s who’ve played in Cleveland since 1999)

Over the last several weeks, we’ve gotten a much better glimpse into who could be potentially targeting the former Louisville football star quarterback, including the New England Patriots, who reportedly have been pegged as the “favorite” to land Jackson.

Let’s look at the teams who Lamar would fit in best with in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills: 1st Round Picks – 12th/22nd

This offseason, the Bills traded away Tyrod Taylor to the Cleveland Browns for a 3rd round pick in this year’s draft. The Bills never seemed completely happy with Tyrod over his three year career in Buffalo , even though he led them to the playoffs, ending the longest current playoff drought in the NFL.

This leaves AJ McCarron and Nathan Peterman as the only QBs on the Bills roster. McCarron, who was signed this offseason to a two year deal after spending several years with the Bengals behind Andy Dalton, has seen little playing time, only starting 3 games in his short career. Over that time he’s thrown for 6 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, with a 64.7 completion percentage.

Peterman on the other hand is most famously known for starting in the place of Tyrod Taylor this past season, and throwing 5 interceptions in the first half, before being replaced by Taylor.

Honestly, I don’t see Lamar fitting in here. The Bills were ready to ditch Tyrod, who like Lamar, is a more mobile quarterback. It’s not that he can’t be better than Tyrod, I just think the Bills organization is looking for a more typical NFL QB, someone who will stay in the pocket and not be as mobile. However, the current QB situation in Buffalo gives Lamar good odds to get playing time in his first year, and Sean McDermott came to the Bills after working with the Carolina Panthers, who had a mobile QB in Cam Netown.

Likelihood of drafting Lamar Jackson: 30%

Arizona Cardinals: 1st round pick – 15th

After Carson Palmer’s retirement, the Cardinals scrambled to find a replacement. The signed Sam Bradford to a two year deal, with $15 million in guaranteed money the first year. Along with Bradford, the Cardinals have journeyman quarterbacks Mike Glennon, Brandon Doughty, and Alek Torgersen on the roster.

Mike Glennon has not worked out as a NFL starter, losing his last starting job to Mitch Trubisky in Chicago, and not having much success before that in Tampa Bay. Doughty has struggled to latch on with a team following his successful career at Western Kentucky, and Torgersen spent time on two practice squads as an UDFA in 2017.

Everyone knows Bradford has battled the injury bug his entire career. Arizona will likely miss out on the other top quarterbacks in the draft, but Lamar could land at their feet. In Arizona, he would have a great opportunity to be the back up to Bradford, and when (not if) Bradford goes down with an injury, the Lamar show would begin. For playing time opportunities, landing in Glendale might be the best for Lamar.

While Bruce Arians is no longer the head coach in Arizona, after retiring this past offseason, he did make some very interesting comments regarding the Cardinals and Lamar Jackson.

"“That’s one guy I really am intrigued with because he can spin it and he’s been in a pro-style offense and he’s been hard coached by Bobby (Petrino). He brings that unique skill set and it makes me look back at Vince Young. Vince could beat you and he was a heck of a leader. I don’t know why it didn’t work out for him but listening to him now, telling his story, he’s like, ‘I didn’t put the time in.’"

Likelihood of drafting Lamar Jackson: 70%

LA Chargers: 1st Round Pick – 19th

While this is not a likely landing spot for Lamar, the Chargers need a quarterback of the future. Los Angeles (yes they are in Los Angeles) currently has three QBs on the roster in Philip Rivers, Cardale Jones, and Geno Smith. Aside from Rivers, neither Jones or Smith have showed much promise in the NFL. Jones has only attempted 11 passes in the pros, and Smith is 12-19 as a starter with the Jets and Giants.

Ultimately, I think getting to back up Philip Rivers for the next 2 years or so would teach Lamar a lot about the professional game, but the Chargers have bigger needs than a QB with their first pick, so he likely won’t end up in LA.

While Chargers Head Coach Anthony Lynn is no stranger to coaching mobile quarterbacks (Michael Vick, Tyrod Taylor) that’s not the biggest reason Jackson could be a target in Los Angeles IMO.

The Chargers, who moved to Los Angeles last season, struggled to keep the stands full even though they played at the StubHub Center, which seats just 27,000 fans.

Jackson is by far the most electrifying player in this class, and his talents could easily get fans in Los Angeles excited about the Chargers.

Likelihood of drafting Lamar Jackson: 10%

Pittsburgh Steelers: 1st Round Pick – 28th

Out of contending teams drafting in the back half of the first round, Pittsburgh seems to be the organization most draft pundits have linked to Lamar Jackson.

Mike Tomlin was extremely visible at the Louisville Pro Day back in late March, which makes sense as the team is looking for a “quarterback of the future” behind an aging Ben Roethlisberger.

I think Lamar could be extremely successful in Pittsburgh. Pretty decent offensive line, great

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weapons all around the offense such as running back Le”Veon Bell, and wide receivers Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

However, the Steelers already have 3 QBs on the roster in Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones, and last year’s draft selection Joshua Hobbs. I’m not quite sure how much the Steelers are in love with either back up QB, but it feels like Jones is the longest tenured back up in the league and Hobbs just got there.

Ultimately, I don’t see Lamar competing for the back up role in the Steel City unless they move on from Jones, which I think is pretty unlikely. That, and the Steelers having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball *cough cough cornerback cough Jaire Alexander* means I don’t see them taking a QB first round.

But pairing Lamar Jackson with Le”Veon Bell and Antonio Brown… My Gawd.

Likelihood of drafting Lamar Jackson: 40%

New Orleans Saints: 1st Round Pick – 27th

It’s very rare for a team to sign their franchise quarterback to a big contract extension, only to turn around and spend a first round pick on a young quarterback. That’s exactly what might happen with the New Orleans Saints after giving Drew Brees a two year, $44 million contract this past offseason.

Currently, the Saints have Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, and Tom Savage under contract. Brees probably has a year or two left before he retires, hence signing a two year deal, with a opt-out after one season.

Savage, who was once thought to be a potential late-round steal, has shown to be just good enough to help get the Texans by. While Hill’s only action last season was 12 special teams plays against the Panthers. Also, Hill was an injury magnet at BYU, so I’m sure the Saints have that on their radar.

New Orleans could be the ideal situation for Lamar, a quarterback who likely needs a year or two to sit back and learn.

New Orleans Head Coach Sean Payton is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks, and manipulate offenses around certain players strengths. Jackson would benefit mightily from the tutelage of Payton. And I can’t think of a better quarterback to sit behind and learn than future hall-of-famer, and super bowl winner, Drew Brees.

A lot of older QB’s don’t necessarily seem interested in being a “mentor” for a young budding superstar, destined to take their job down the road (I.e, Brett Favre with Aaron Rodgers), but I would almost be wiling to bet that Brees wouldn’t be that type of player.

The learning situation couldn’t be better for Lamar and I’m not sure there’s a more idea playing situation than the Superdome in New Orleans.

With the Saints being an indoor team, that already is a benefit to Lamar. Whether it’s scientifically proven or not, runners seem faster indoors. They don’t have the weather elements to deal with. But being in the Superdome guarantees eight home games and one game inside at Atlanta; this bodes well for Lamar.

After sitting for a few seasons, Jackson could be ready to take the keys from Drew Brees and continue to lead the Saints to playoffs year-in and year-out.

The only question… Does Lamar Jackson fall to 27? Very unlikely. Meaning New Orleans would likely have to jump several of the teams listed above via trade.

Likelihood of drafting Lamar Jackson: 60%

Don’t let the bighead, loudmouth, draft experts on the four letter network fool you. This kid can play, and he absolutely will be a first round draft pick come April 26th.

Several teams have interest in Lamar Jackson, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him rise into the top 15 picks.

Whoever drafts Jackson, isn’t just getting a once in a lifetime talent, but they are also getting a once in a life time person.

Next: 2018 UofL Spring Game Recap

The first round of the 2018 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday, April 26th.

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