Lamar Jackson is the reigning MVP but broke away at the hands of Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Last season, Jackson’s Ravens lost to the eventual Super Bowl winners 10-17 in the AFC Championship Game.
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Until last season, “Action Jackson” had never made it past the divisional round of the NFL playoffs and was just two games away from fulfilling the promise he made to Ravens fans in 2018 during the draft.
“They’re going to win me a Super Bowl, believe it,” the young QB vowed that fateful night.
However, Lamar’s experience in the draft was marked by doubters and disappointments.
Jackson went to college at Louisville and was a consensus first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy during his sophomore year in 2016.
However, his draft dream quickly became a nightmare after four other quarterbacks were selected before him.
Baker Mayfield (Browns), Sam Darnold (Jets), Josh Allen (Bills) and Josh Rosen (Cardinals) all entered the Top 10 and were favored ahead of Jackson.
Lamar was considered a dynamic playmaker, but scouts and executives had reservations about his ability to take his game to the pros.
According to a scouting report from the time, “Jackson possesses plenty of arm strength and a quick release, (but) scouts and executives are divided on his pro potential.
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“While he tends to stay in the pocket and carry the play the rest of the way before rushing, some wonder if he is more than a one-read passer with accuracy issues.
“There are also concerns about his ability to withstand the physicality of the NFL as a runner.”
Many also believed Jackson was better suited to playing running back.
“He’s a great athlete. He won’t be able to play quarterback in this league, believe me,” one offensive coordinator said.
“When he throws, he hopes.”
Those question marks came on draft night as a dejected Jackson, who wore a green suit with a navy bow tie, looked on helplessly as his name fell on the draft board.
Ultimately, the Ravens selected him with the last first-round pick (No. 32).
Even that was only because of a draft deal in which Baltimore sent its 52nd, 125th picks and a 2019 second-round selection to defending champion Philadelphia in exchange for the 32nd and 132nd selections.
Disappointment – not at being selected by the Ravens, but at being overlooked by so many teams – was written all over Jackson’s face.
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But by the time he spoke with Deion Sanders during his post-draft interview, he made a point of letting every team know that they were going to regret passing up on him.
“I’m here…” he declared coldly.
“I’m a Raven, it’s on all year, every year.”
It’s fair to say that the Ravens’ decision paid off as Jackson became one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
After being named the Ravens’ starting quarterback in his rookie season, Jackson became a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro.
He was named league MVP in 2019 and, after propelling Baltimore to first place in the AFC with a 13-4 record last season, won his second Most Valuable Player trophy.
A Super Bowl berth still awaits, however, and, as of now, Jackson’s promise has yet to be fulfilled.
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