Baltimore Ravens: Expectations for Lamar Jackson heading into 2018

What are expectations for Lamar Jackson for 2018 as he enters his rookie season as the future quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.

When Lamar Jackson was drafted in the first round of this past draft by the Baltimore Ravens with the 32nd pick, it gave Ravens fans excitement for the future at quarterback.

The Ravens have not kept more than two quarterbacks since Joe Flacco was drafted and Jackson gives the Ravens a plan at quarterback once they move on from Flacco in a few years.

There were a lot of mixed responses to the Ravens drafting the Heisman winner with one side thinking Jackson would start over Flacco in his rookie year but many knew he was a project with his inconsistent mechanics and needed at least a year to sit.

While I would like to see Jackson sit a year behind Flacco and be the starter for 2019, it is hard to see him not see the field in the offensive game plan, especially in the red zone.

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Jackson could definitely play in 2018 at quarterback but only in certain packages in the offensive game plan as he may not start a game if Flacco plays well enough or stays healthy.

In three preseason games, Lamar Jackson is 18 for 43 passing (under 50%) and has two passing touchdowns with one interception, plus one rushing touchdown.

Comparing the Louisville quarterback and 2016 Heisman winner to the other first round quarterbacks from this past draft, Jackson does not seem as ready and expectations should be tempered with him and his development with the Ravens.

He has shown progress throwing and commanding the huddle in each game but has taken unnecessary shots in those games. He has to learn to slide and realize NFL athletes are bigger, faster, and stronger.

Keeping Robert Griffin III could be beneficial for the Ravens as he could be the primary backup to Flacco if he goes down. This would depend on Jackson’s development, however, if the Ravens believe he is ready depending on the circumstances with Flacco.

Jackson will get more playing time in the preseason against the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins so he still has some time to show his progress as a passer and could turn some heads with more consistency in his mechanics. Ultimately I think he sees little time in the regular season barring injury.