One year later and Lamar Jackson is still proving NFL doubters wrong

With the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft getting underway tonight, it’s the perfect time to look back at the progress of Lamar Jackson in his first year in the NFL.

On the night of April 26, 2018, former Louisville football great, possibly the greatest Cardinal of all time, waited over two and a half hours before finally hearing his name called.

After falling 31 selections, being passed over by multiple times quarterback-needy teams, Lamar Jackson was finally selected 32nd overall by the Baltimore Ravens.

Instead of pouting or looking for someone to blame, Jackson went to work for the Ravens doing anything and everything for a team who look destined for mediocrity, even knowing that he was likely going to hold a clipboard for the full 2018-19 season.

Depending on where you looked the Baltimore Ravens and lame duck General Manager Ozzie Newsome was either praised for their outside of the box thinking or chastised for using an ever-valuable first-round selection on a player who was really supposed to be playing wide receiver.

How did the former Heisman Trophy winner reward them?

By leading the Ravens to a 6-1 finish to the season after starting the year 4-5, and becoming the youngest quarterback in NFL history to start a playoff game.

Not too shabby, eh?

Out of five quarterbacks selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jackson was the only one to appear in the playoffs showing his way of doing things, while not always being conventional, was effective and extremely fun to watch.

Behind his blazing speed and incredible elusiveness, Jackson set the world on fire during the Ravens final eight games of the season, which unfortunately ended in a loss in the first round of the playoffs to the Los Angeles.

Nonetheless, Jackson proved that he was capable of taking hits in the NFL, learning a playbook, making throws when it mattered and most importantly, winning football games while those who doubted him were forced to watch.

A year later, Jackson is moving into year two for the Ravens as the face of the franchise, operating with a new “swag.”

Teammate Orlando Brown said about Jackson:

"“I think he has more of an understanding of the offense for sure. His swag is a lot different because he knows he’s QB1, and it’s a situation where his confidence and his humbleness is there at the same time. We’re looking forward to getting out there on the field."

What’s next for Jackson?

Well, improving his passing is at the top of the list without a doubt. Though he won doing what he does best, Jackson’s Total QBR rated almost dead last among NFL quarterbacks. He’ll have to improve his 58.2 percent completion rating as well if the Ravens have any shot of competing in a competitive AFC North.

With the same chip on his shoulder that he entered the league with last year, expect Jackson to improve mightily. Jackson said:

"“I don’t feel like I’m the best I can be,” Jackson said. “You’ll have to see when the season comes. I’m still working. Keeping a wide base, throwing out-breaking routes. Just trying to be spot-on with my accuracy, trying to work on every attribute I can.”"

One thing is for sure. We haven’t seen anywhere near the best of Lamar Jackson.

Believe that.