DTC Prospect Report: Lamar Jackson, QB

Lamar Jackson, QB – Louisville

6025 – 205 | JR

QB Rank: 3

Pass Game Strengths

• Easy arm strength. Ball jumps out of his hand.
• Will stand in the pocket and find his open man. Won’t always tuck and run.
• Reads through progressions and looks for an open man. Won’t lock on to just one receiver.
• Deep ball accuracy/ball placement is money if given time in the pocket.
• Displays the mental ability to play the position at a high level in the NFL.
• Good footwork from under center. Better than most dual-threat quarterbacks.
• Ability to run play-action and either pass or run out of it.
• Pump fakes work to his advantage. Finds good times to use them.
• Will hit the check down or flat control when needed.

Run Game Strengths

• Possesses breakaway speed. Should run in 4.60s.
• Follows blocks well when running behind blockers.
• Excellent agility and elusiveness allow him to avoid big hits. Runs like a freak running back.
• Ability to use a stiff arm with power.

Pass Game Weaknesses

• Somewhat of a long release. Will cause him to miss short throws.
• Ball security while moving in and out of the pocket is horrendous.
• Tends to stop moving his feet while in the pocket. Seems to anchor down at times.
• Pocket awareness is inconsistent. Likely a result of keeping shoulders wide open and head turned towards one side of the field.
• Throw on the run ability is mediocre at best.
• Underthrows deep balls if pressured or while escaping the pocket.
• Overall accuracy and ball placement are inconsistent. Leaves a ton of yards on the field.
• A tendency to lose composure after poor plays or bad calls.

Run Game Weaknesses

• Tends to overrun himself too often. Gets too antsy when scrambling out of the pocket.
• Slimmer body is more liable to injury.
• Ball security needs to tighten up.

Passing Stats

www.sports-reference.com

Rushing Stats

www.sports-reference.com

Summary

Lamar Jackson is the true definition of a dual-threat quarterback, being able to beat opposing defenses on the ground and through the air. He has the unique ability of a quarterback to run by defensive backs completely, and at any moment, could take it to the house. With easy arm strength and the willingness to stand in the pocket and read through progressions, Jackson is a true signal-caller, despite being occasionally profiled as a “future NFL wide receiver.” If he’s given a chance to sit behind a veteran for a year or two, Jackson can work on completing a higher percentage of passes and becoming one of the deadliest weapons at the quarterback position.

NFL Draft Prediction

Early 2nd Round

NFL Player Comparison

Michael Vick

Dynasty Lens

Because of the likelihood Jackson will wind up sitting behind a veteran at least two years before a shot at the starting gig, I would target him around the 2.05-2.10 range of superflex rookie drafts. In one-quarterback leagues, I would be comfortable drafting him anywhere after 3.06, largely in part to the multiple years it will take Jackson to develop.