The Baltimore Ravens are expecting a big year out of quarterback Lamar Jackson. The fourth-year signal caller is the key to Baltimore’s offense, as his electrifying style of play carves up defenses almost each and every week.
Jackson is currently 24 years old, so he still has plenty of great football ahead of him. Former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew (now of NFL.com) ranked his top-10 players in the NFL 25 years old or younger, and the Ravens’ quarterback came in at the No. 7 spot on his list. Jones-Drew explained that Jackson should make a leap in the passing game in 2021 with his improved weapons.
“Jackson is the most electrifying player in the league. The 2019 NFL MVP is a nightmare for defenses as a phenomenal rusher and improving passer, and we should see him make a leap in the passing game with more weapons around him in 2021. Jackson is a proven winner, too. Since 2019, he’s posted a 24-6 regular-season record as a starter and helped the Ravens to three straight postseasons, including his first playoff victory last January. As long as Jackson is on the field, Baltimore will have a chance.”
There’s no denying that Jackson is one of the best young players that the league has. However, Jones-Drew did make the controversial decision to rank Jackson below Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who was ranked at No. 6.
Jackson has unlimited potential. He’s one of the best players in the NFL, and it will stay that way for a long time. The 2021 season should be a big stepping stone for Jackson’s career, and Jones-Drew agrees with many others in the fact that the Ravens can stay competitive as long as they have Jackson.
Aside from Allen at No. 6, the other players to be ranked ahead of Jackson are Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson at No. 5, Houston Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson at No. 4, Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett at No. 3, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey at No. 2, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at No. 1