NFL Draft News & Analysis

2018 Prospect Preview: Can Lamar Jackson improve as a passer?

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 31: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass against the LSU Tigers during the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. LSU defeated Louisville 29-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

  • Louisville QB Lamar Jackson returns for his junior season as the reigning Heisman trophy winner, but questions still remain about the quarterbacks passing ability heading into the season. If Jackson wants to be considered as a legitimate first round prospect then he will need to show scouts he can win games with his arm not just his legs.
  • Jackson had a run grade of 96.5 last season which ranked No. 2 in 2016 among quarterbacks, but he recorded a less than impressive grade of 69.9 when passing the ball. His overall grade of 88.1 ranked No. 5 among returning quarterbacks.
  • Jackson will return to the ACC as the top deep passer as he led all returning ACC quarterbacks tossing 12 touchdowns and 1088 yards on passes targeted 20 or more yards downfield. Jackson is also the top returning quarterback with a clean pocket, throwing 26 touchdowns and just five interceptions to go with a passer rating of 114.8 when kept clean.
  • One area Jackson will need to improve is throwing under pressure where he threw four touchdowns AND four interceptions under duress for a passer rating of 59.7. That figure was fourth lowest among returning ACC quarterbacks.

Safety worth way more than 2 points. Help protect your family with fast, free will.
Sponsor

NFL Draft Featured Tools

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit