Lamar Jackson is likely the next quarterback in line for a huge payday. However, one NFL Draft expert thinks the Ravens could explore a different approach of letting him leave in free agency.
After trading offensive tackle Orlando Brown to the Chiefs, the Ravens now have two first-round picks (No. 27 and No. 31) in Thursday’s draft. That gives them this ability to move up and nab a sliding QB like Ohio State’s Justin Fields.
“In Harbaugh’s words he said, ‘We are the army of the NFL,’” NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks said during a television appearance.
“I just wonder about a scenario if Justin Fields happened to fall low enough where he is within range, if the Baltimore Ravens decide to really go all in on this army approach – meaning they take a collegiate approach to the quarterback position. They cash in on a blue chip, they take Justin Fields, and then maybe they operate like a college team: One quarterback graduates, the other quarterback steps into the starter’s role.”
There have been concerns on whether Jackson’s small build will be able to hold up since he scrambles out of the pocket so much and takes numerous big hits.
“You now have the opportunity to keep a starting quarterback, potentially, on a young deal,” Brooks said. “Build up the rest of the assets, play smashmouth football the way that they play and continue to build a better team around the quarterback. Something to think about.”
Back in February, the Boston Globe reported that Jackson and the Ravens were far apart on extension negotiations.
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“The Ravens are the one team that could utilize this approach because they’re systematic on offense,” Brooks further explained on Twitter. “They’re like Army, so they can plug-and-play with a dynamic dual threat at QB with similar success. No disrespect to No. 8 [Jackson] but college supplies plenty of QBs that fit the bill.”
It would be a hard sell for the team to convince their fan base that parting ways with Jackson is a good idea. The young QB is 30-7 as a regular-season starter with 68 passing touchdowns compared to 18 interceptions, plus back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
“I’m not saying that they will do it,” Brooks wrote, “but some team should explore utilizing a collegiate model at QB. Unless you have an elite QB, let ‘em graduate and find another. Don’t overpay for average performance and production. [It] comes back to bite you in the end. Food for thought.”
