Lamar Jackson Drafted 32nd Overall to the Baltimore Ravens | 2018 Draft Rewind

The Philadelphia Eagles traded the 32nd pick to the Baltimore Ravens, who selected Lamar Jackson, quarterback from Louisville, in the 2018 NFL Draft. This marks a significant shift for the Baltimore quarterback position. It was noted as a historic draft, with both the first pick (Baker Mayfield) and the last pick (Lamar Jackson) of the first round being Heisman Trophy winners. Daniel Jeremiah sees this as the Ravens going in a completely new direction, with General Manager Ozzie Newsome trying to get ahead of trends in his final draft. While acknowledging it's a risk and a gamble, the move is seen as a commitment to a different type of football. Jackson is described as having electrifying upside, though a bit raw in the past game. Comparisons were drawn to Michael Vick due to his "whippy arm" and "unbelievable skill and speed." It's anticipated that Jackson will have breakout games and could be an NFL Player of the Week this year. Lamar Jackson expressed his happiness and pride in being a Raven, stating he's looking forward to bringing a Super Bowl to the team. Benjamin Watson also approved of the pick, praising Ozzie Newsome. Analysts discussed Jackson's passing ability, noting he's "pretty good" with touch and accuracy on his first read, but struggles when that first look isn't there and with underneath coverage. He's considered a bit behind where Deshaun Watson was a year prior, but Bill O'Brien's success with Watson was cited as a positive example. It was emphasized that Jackson doesn't necessarily have to play immediately, and the team will commit to him philosophically. Another analyst praised Jackson's talent and improvement in his passing game over the seasons. He was noted for running more pro concepts at Louisville under Bobby Petrino than Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma or Sam Darnold at USC, suggesting he's well-coached and capable of further development as a passer. His dynamic playmaking ability with the ball in his hands was highlighted, with comparisons made to Barry Sanders as a running back.