Lamar Jackson declares for NFL draft

Only game this year I watched was our bowl game and I don't see how he makes it as a passer honestly.
Blurb from a site I visit:

Louisville junior QB Lamar Jackson has declared for the NFL draft.

Jackson (6'3/211) had a monster sophomore season in 2016, throwing for 30 touchdowns and running for another 21 on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy, beating out Deshaun Watson, Jabrill Peppers, Baker Mayfield, and Dede Westbrook. NFL draft guru Daniel Jeremiah compared Jackson to Michael Vick over the summer, though he came away believing Jackson was behind Vick in his development as a passer. Our own Josh Norris broke down a number of Jackson' junior-year throws on Twitter recently, noting he can not only make it, but excel, as an NFL passer. Opinions vary on Jackson throughout the draft world, with some even suggesting he should switch positions. Jackson is going to be a fascinating player to track this winter.

He probably would be the fastest QB in the NFL. And if a team uses that as the reason they draft him, he will never make it.

Manziel was very similar in that his ability to create run opportunities made him special in college. But those don't happen nearly as often in the NFL. Guys are too fast. So the real question is can he throw the football well enough to make it and I think the answer is no.

Our defense made him quit**

Somewhere like Seattle may be a fit as he could do some of the same things R. Wilson does. But it will take a specific system for him. I don't think he could ever make it in a New Orleans or New England type offense.

Judging from just the bowl game, he has huge issues with his footwork, which hurts him throwing from the pocket. And he'll have to throw from the pocket about 200% more in the NFL than he did in college. If he makes it long-term, I think it's going to have to be as a WR or a return specialist. I doubt he can improve enough as a passer before the window for him to stick as a QB closes.

Hopefully for him he will go somewhere that there is a veteran who can allow him to develop as a passer and a player. As a rookie I could see him being valuable in a limited package right off the bat even while he is developing sort of like Kordell Stewart back in the day but with a much higher ceiling as a QB than Stewart.

I think he could eventually make it in the NFL as a QB.

ONE HELL OF A WIDEOUT

There is a place for him in the NFL. Receiver, kick returner and maybe as an emergency qb(3rd string). Will be interesting to see who drafts him and what round.

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Originally Posted by confucius say

Our defense made him quit**

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Got him more in shape. He was running for his life most of the game.

Jackson is Calvin Ridley 2.0 at WR.

It's what he is. Won't make it as a QB

With as much garbage playing QB in the league now he can definitely play QB. Not his rookie year but after a year in the system.

Future K/O returner.

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Originally Posted by Ifyouonlyknew

With as much garbage playing QB in the league now he can definitely play QB. Not his rookie year but after a year in the system.

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Yeah, I just don't see why he can't be one of the top 64 qbs in the league. And the ability to use him for packages involving QB runs should maybe add some value as he can actually get involved in most games, not just when the 1st string QB is hurt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ifyouonlyknew

With as much garbage playing QB in the league now he can definitely play QB. Not his rookie year but after a year in the system.

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Agreed, the backups in the league are damn near awful. with the bottom 1/3 of starters not being all that great. Somebody will likely give him a shot.

A lot of you are basing this "He can't play QB" line on one meaningless bowl game. He had a great college career throwing the ball and had good completion % and TD/INT ratio. Add that in with the fact he's probably the fastest QB since Mike Vick makes him a pretty intriguing option at QB in the draft. I agree with IYOK, there are so many clowns playing QB in the NFL right now that I have no doubt Jackson can play QB in the NFL.

Terrell Pryor part 2.

Have watched UofL multiple times this season, local team and all. Lamar is usually a very precise/hard-throwing QB in addition to his leg speed. Our DL just totally dominated the line of scrimmage thus negating his usual setup/timing. Lamar throws the ball with a lot of zip and usually very accurate.

He will be a good NFL QB, the thing that he should worry about is taking NFL hits routinely. He needs to add some bulk/muscle to take the punishment.

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Originally Posted by Homedawg

Terrell Pryor part 2.

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Not close

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Originally Posted by Ifyouonlyknew

Not close

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Final season for each...

Pryor:
65.0% 2772 yds 8.7 per att 27 td 11 int.
157.9 passer rating
135 rushes 754 yds 5.6 per 4 td

Jackson:
59.1% 3660 yds 8.5 per att 27 td 10 int
146.6 passer rating
232 rushes 1601 yds 6.9 per 18 td

Passing, they look very similar.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb...e-pryor-1.html

http://www.cfbstats.com/2017/player/...227/index.html

All this kinda reminds me of the "Dak will be a great TE in the NFL" argument that people here like to make fun of. We all see how that turned out.